Posted by Old Guy (216.152.14.82) on March 13, 2001 at 18:36:49:
In Reply to: Compression Help Needed posted by MadMav71 on March 13, 2001 at 18:15:43:
: So I finally broke down and did a compression test on my engine. The problem I have had the entire time is a sporadic miss, from idle on up through the RPM band. All electricals have been replaced, as well as new carburetor, etc. The miss got a little better, but was still there.
: So when I did the compression test, I got around 135 lbs on the number one cylinder, and 150 to 153 or so on all the rest of the cylinders. I repeated the test a couple of times, with pretty much identical results. What does this sound like to you guys (& gals)? Rings? Valves sticking? Weak spring? Help!!
: One more thing... will it hurt the car to drive it like that? Thanks :)
Sounds like a head gasket. Could be others also. Best to get it fixed soon though. Is it a six or 8 cylinder? Old trick is to squirt a small stream of water on the exhaust manifold at each cylinder location. A good cyl. will fry the water away, a dead or bad cyl. will either barely sizzel or the water will just run off. After you isolate the bad cyl. I would pull the valve cover and check springs, rockers, push rods etc. It's all a process of elimination. Good Luck.