C20LET Question.

[muzzleboy]

I recently did a compression test on my C20LET and noticed that cylinder two was running quite low compared to the others (170, 135, 180, 180) so I thought I would try to decide whether it was the piston ring or the valve and from what I understand the best way to do that is to pop some oil into the cylinder and carry out a compression test again, I did that and cylinder to compression raised to 163.

Naturally I assumed a piston ring and I have bought all the parts required to carry out the job however I have spoken to a few mates who have also seen the car running and they have all scratched their heads a bit because (correct me if Im wrong please) a piston ring failure would manifest itself as perhaps poor idle, smoke from the exhaust and burning oil and also excessive oil usage due to it burning it. My car idles fine in fact you could say she purrs like a kitten, the oil is golden brown and she hardly uses any of it and on top of that there is no smoke what so ever coming out of the rear, she never even mis-fires when you drive her.

For a few reasons (lack of garage, lack of good weather and lack of time) I cant take the head off right now but I will do as soon as I can. In the mean time I am starting to think I may have a sticky valve but I was wondering if a sticky valve would cause the compression symptoms I am experiencing I was also wondering if anyone could offer some input into this problem it would be greatly appreciated. I really just need to know COULD this be a valve issue and not a piston ring as first thought?

[Davey j]

Could be something simple like the head gasket wearing or worn guides. Without having it apart it is anyone's guess.