Its the same as a compression test, it just uses a different piece of equipment.

 

Well, I got me a compression tester last night, will be doing the test when I get home today. the service manual says I should have pressure between 135-184 with max variation not more that 28. So when I do this test, I should do it dry first on all 4 cyl, then put a tbsp of oil in each cyclinder and test again right. What are some signs to look for. For example, I know if a cylinder reads low when dry but high when wet, it's the rings, but is there anything else I can determine by this test or is that about it? I will post the results when I am done...

 

You don't need to do a wet compression test (with the oil) unless one or more of the cylinders has low compression.

 

Well, one cyclinder DID have low compression... Cylinders 1,2,and 4 read out at about 180-185 dry (didn't do wet) Cylinder #3 read out at 15, dry and wet, no difference when wet hardly at all. So somewhere in #3 is where my problem lies. I just didn't think it would read so damn low though. So tell me, what kinds of problems might cause such a low compression? I'm thinking SERVERELY worn rings, a small hole in the piston or burt out valve(s) Any suggestions?

 

Severly worn rings as in the rings are gone maybe would cause a 15PSI wet and dry compression. It could be a hole through the pistons, something wrong with the valves, head gasket (but u would have burning coolant). I think that the only way to surely know is to take off the head, but at least you know where the problem is.

 

Well, it sux that's for sure, because I gotta take off the head, and whatever is wrong, I have to order the parts. I'm afraid to order new rings, and a head gasket (since I'm removing the head), only to find out that it a valve or a piston and have to either be without a car until more parts come in or slap the new head gasket on and drive it until the parts arrive only to have to order another head gasket again when I open it back up again. My GF needs her car for work so I'd probably have to do the latter. Head Gasket is only $20 but still...

I really think it's the rings though because only on that cylinder was the plug very oily, and a torched valve wouldn't cause oil to be burned. I seriously doubt a hole was burnt in the piston, but I'm sure its possible. So I'm gonna go ahead and order the rings and a head gasket this weekend and cross my fingers.

I found this website, www.rockauto.com, and it's the cheapest place so far I've found to order parts. If anyone knows of a good website to order parts from please let me know, my local auto parts store is so damn expensive, not to mention they have to order the parts too and they say it takes usually a week to get them in.

 

Don't order the rings just yet, i would get the head off and then check. I have a feeling that rings aren't your problem since the engine did not pass the wet compression. I could be wrong and the rings could be totally fried but i would hold off until the head is off. If the valves are torched or there is a sealing problem, that would explain the very low compression but not the oil. The valve seals could cause the leaking oil, but not the low compression. If you have a hole through your piston, you could still get oil into the cylinders since the oil pretty much shoots out of the end of the connecting rod to lube the wrist pin and the sides of the cylinder (i think). But get the head off. It doesn't matter what you do, do you really wanna drive knowing that 1 cylinder is severly damaged and you could risk doing even more damage to the engine?

 

well for a hole in the piston just get a dental mirror and a LED flash light. You'll know right away if that's the case...do you have severely burnt oil?

 

Well, I think what I am gonna do is pull it apart tomorrow and see what's wrong. I will just have to let my GF drive my car until I get hers fixed. I can always take the city bus to work, she can't. I will post my findings when I get it all apart. I just seems logical though that it's a hole in the piston or the rings since there's no compression, plus burning oil in that cylinder adn no others, but I guess it's better to check it out first.

 

Take pictures if possible. I wanna see what severly burned rings looks like.