Help ! Clipper Cab Cylinder Balance

[stevegant]

Just has the Clipper Tuned........ Report came back to say that Cylinder Balance is 103-102-37-120.  I gather that this defines the contribution that each cylinder is putting into the performace of the engine.  Clearly if the firing order is 1-3-4-2 then the result of '37' for cylinder 4 is a little worrying.  Anyone any idea what would be causing this result ?  It's a standard 1.8 8v Carb with 108k on the clock.  Thanks.

[Madone_si]

If that is showing 37 then something is very wrong there. That means there is very low compression and that can be for the following reasons - crack in head, head gasket gone, values warn, piston rings need replacing on that clyinder - means all most be done. All in all - you need to take the head off the car to see what's gone wrong. Thats not good I'm afraid. I would get that double checked first - to make sure that reading is correct.

Out of interest when you drive do you have dark smoke coming out of the exhaust when you floor it?

[richandhazel]

Just has the Clipper Tuned........ Report came back to say that Cylinder Balance is 103-102-37-120.  I gather that this defines the contribution that each cylinder is putting into the performace of the engine.  Clearly if the firing order is 1-3-4-2 then the result of '37' for cylinder 4 is a little worrying.  Anyone any idea what would be causing this result ?  It's a standard 1.8 8v Carb with 108k on the clock.  Thanks.

Thats not good, imbalance is worse than than them all being generally low as at least that would show even engine wear. You're allowed a certain percentage between each cylinder and I'm afraid you're way out of tolerance there so you do have a major problem

Firstly, compression checks are usually done in cylinder order as opposed to firing order so chances are that is number 3 cylinder that has the problem. To try and identify where the problem is, assuming that those are dry check, do the compression checks again only this time put a teaspoon of oil in the spark plug hole before doing the compression check. If the compression comes right up then you have a problem with the piston rings or bore. If they remain roughly the same then its a problem in the head, could be a burnt out valve etc...
Either way, it looks like it looks like you'll be taking the head off.