Quote:
Originally Posted by WE3RX7
My two cents on this....
The piston tester is ok for "general" assumptions. What it proves is that you haven't lossed a seal or one isnt stuck.
50psi is low, even for a cold engine so vex's suggestion of letting it pump up to the overall psi is a better assumption. for the s4 NA 100psi would be better, but 95 isn't the end of the world (but I would start saving for that rebuild).
I would not do the ATF/MMO/Water trick. In certain cases, this is acceptable such as a motor that has been sitting in storage or got completely locked. Its a last ditch effort for freeing an engine, but not something you should do on a running one primarily because what it can "free up" can also cause MORE damage to the seals/springs in the engine than good.
Start running premix 100:1 at least on the ratio, do regular oil changes and start saving.
This is all speaking from experience on two separate NA engines - so I'm sure some people have had different experiences...
|
I'd love to hear those experiences some time (not calling you out just curious). I used to get really low compression on my engine--around 90-95psi but that was probably from the 6 months to the year it wasn't run. I ended up doing the seafoam treatment and I gained back alot of compression. I don't do it as much as I used to anymore because it fouls the plugs, but the positive benifits have happened more than not to me. Then again I only have 50k on my engine so it might just be night and day.
OP, i'd listen to WE3RX7. He has much more experience with engines on the way out--where I haven't experienced my first one yet. You don't necessarily have to take it to a dealership. There are units out there that can tell you the full compression readings and conditions of the seals I believe full units sell for around 200-300 bucks while you can pick them up for 150 at the cheapest end.