ShruikaN

Hey guys,

So I did a head gasket replacement (blew driver side) in July of this year, and it ran good for about a week. Then I had to do a bunch of minor things with it and also went out of state for a while. Today I got around to checking compression on all cylinders after ohm and noid testing each injector (both tests passed on all injectors (17.3-17.5 Ohms on all injectors).

My compression readings are terrible. Here's how they went:

I'm thinking either the deck or the heads aren't level (took a roloc disc to all mating surfaces to clean of old gasket material. Did this gently though I have all iron), or the gaskets aren't seated properly.

I'm thinking of taking the car over to a local shop (it does run, albeit badly), and have them sort through everything, but I wanted to hear your guys' opinion as well.

Just say screw it, and take it over to the shop, or is there something else I could do with it first? I do NOT want to go through a head gasket replacement again. The first wasn't fun and doing it a second time will probably end with me selling the car which I really don't want to do.

Thanks!

redneckjoe

might be a test worth doing?

did you possibly over-tighten any rockers?

another thing you might try is;
get the engine up to temp,
slowly pour a cup of water into the throttle body,...slowly,
then go for a ride and beat on it.
you might hear carbon deposits exiting your exhaust?
old school trick for steam cleaning the combustion chamber and valveseats, etc.

re-check compression readings again. might surprise you?

ShruikaN

Thanks for the video. I'll try and find that kit.

I have a whole can of seafoam I can use but the problem is that once the engine gets to temp, it dies. Idle drops to 400, runs like crap for a bit, then stalls. I can pour the seafoam in once it dies but it doesn't like to start when still at operating temp. It will, but it shakes like crazy.

redneckjoe

heres one link to a kit.
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...006_0388673369

theres another way of testing but you need a smog/emissions tester probe in the rad.

some people like seafoam. personally never tried it, but same principal. just keep the engine running while you SLOWELY pour it in. tranny fluid works too, but will smoke like crazy and could foul yor plugs.

redneckjoe

i see your in daytona. i used to live in holly hills many years ago.

ShruikaN

I'm not really worried about my plugs. They're fouled anyway. All are completely black and either smell like raw fuel (cylinders 4 and 6 not firing), or burnt. I bought new plugs today but might end up returning them and selling either the engine or car if this engine turns out cracked.

And yeah I'm in Daytona beach. I'm attending Embry-Riddle for aviation maintenance. I live in ocala, about an hour away.

redneckjoe

i got a friend who went there. he's doing GREAT in life now! awesome school.

if things turn sour, and you consider selling or parting out your car, i'd be interseted. my tranny is shot and would rather go t-5. i'm north of tampa a little now. might have a running 88 formula 350, black, auto, i could possibly trade? send me a PM if things dont work out.
Joe

ShruikaN

Yeah I absolutely love the school. Its a bit pricey, but it'll be worth it later in life. Aviation maintenance is an amazing field. I'm glad I was told about it.

I'm strongly considering selling it whole. I don't have the space to keep it to part it out, especially in college. I want to stay manual so I can sell it to you but not all that interested in an auto.

redneckjoe

i understand. HMU with a price if you sell.

i wish you the best in school. my bud did a few years in daytona, then flagstaff. now he works for lockhead. makes killer bucks!

ShruikaN

Definitely will!

And oh yeah man. Big bucks in this industry. Only downside is that you answer to the government haha. I'm planning on either going to Gulfstream up in Georgia, or Boeing. I've heard they're building a plant in Alabama.

That's for the advice with my car! Will look into running more tests if I don't buy another car first.

jagdprcp

Pour about a tablespoon of oil in each cylinder before you test the compression again. If the numbers go up, then you may have bad rings. You can also do a leakdown test to see where the compression is actually going.

Skeeeter

ShruikaN

I wanted to do a wet compression test but didn't have a way to get the oil into the cylinders. All of my funnels are too big. I just found some fuel line hose though so I'll redo the test sunday when I get back in town. I'll also pick up a cylinder leakage test kit if I can find one for rent.

Thanks