So yesterday, DiS and I did a compression test on my motor. Now for whatever reason, both on my built motor and my stock motor, I always ran 140-150psi on all cylinders instead of 180. Maybe my tester is off. But it's always consistent.
Anyway, so we checked my cylinders. They all ran 140-150 with the exception of #3, which ran 95 or so. So we dumped a teaspoon worth of oil into the cylinder to try it again, and it hit 120psi.
Now IIRC, a teaspoon of oil added to a cylinder should only increase its compression by ~10psi. If it's anything more than that, chances are you have a damaged piston ring. Since the difference was 25, I'm going to have to lean towards that.
So here's the deal. Monday morning, I'm going to call JE and try to have them ship me some replacement rings ASAP. Hopefully they can actually get them to me this week.
After that, I'm going to have to dissasemble the ENTIRE motor in my car, in my garage. Fortunately, DiS has offered to help do it all next weekend and crash on my couch.
We're going to need all the help we can get. It's a big job to do in one weekend. Any volunteers to lend me a hand? You're welcome to crash here. I'll begin work as soon as I get the parts I need this week...so maybe Thursday (all day), Friday (from 6PM) through Sunday night. I live 15 minutes from Atlantic City. Act now and get all the free Pizza you can eat!
Any advice from anyone who has replaced a piston ring with the motor in the car (idgrasil)? Will the trans have to be unbolted/taken out?
The list of parts I'll need AFAIK:
RECEIVED - new head gasket
RECEIVED - ARP 11mm head studs (i have the 10mm head studs now)
RECEIVED - New set of rings (might as well buy two just for the hell of it)
ORDERED - New TB gasket
RECEIVED - New gasket for the driver's side coolant hose (where it bolts to the head)
A pack of razor blades to clean off RTV
RTV
Someone should probably bring a camera/video camera
A drill and a set of drill bits
RECEIVED - Piston ring tool - the ones that allow you to slide the piston in with the rings
Does anyone have an impact wrench?
Anyone have a radio/cd/mp3 player that plugs into the wall? Because I mean, seriously, DiS can't sing.
...anything else?
Also, does anyone know if the car is drivable? Will I damage it if I'm driving it with a bad ring? (or worse, a damaged piston??).
Anyway, so we checked my cylinders. They all ran 140-150 with the exception of #3, which ran 95 or so. So we dumped a teaspoon worth of oil into the cylinder to try it again, and it hit 120psi.
Now IIRC, a teaspoon of oil added to a cylinder should only increase its compression by ~10psi. If it's anything more than that, chances are you have a damaged piston ring. Since the difference was 25, I'm going to have to lean towards that.
So here's the deal. Monday morning, I'm going to call JE and try to have them ship me some replacement rings ASAP. Hopefully they can actually get them to me this week.
After that, I'm going to have to dissasemble the ENTIRE motor in my car, in my garage. Fortunately, DiS has offered to help do it all next weekend and crash on my couch.
We're going to need all the help we can get. It's a big job to do in one weekend. Any volunteers to lend me a hand? You're welcome to crash here. I'll begin work as soon as I get the parts I need this week...so maybe Thursday (all day), Friday (from 6PM) through Sunday night. I live 15 minutes from Atlantic City. Act now and get all the free Pizza you can eat!
Any advice from anyone who has replaced a piston ring with the motor in the car (idgrasil)? Will the trans have to be unbolted/taken out?
The list of parts I'll need AFAIK:
RECEIVED - new head gasket
RECEIVED - ARP 11mm head studs (i have the 10mm head studs now)
RECEIVED - New set of rings (might as well buy two just for the hell of it)
ORDERED - New TB gasket
RECEIVED - New gasket for the driver's side coolant hose (where it bolts to the head)
A pack of razor blades to clean off RTV
RTV
Someone should probably bring a camera/video camera
A drill and a set of drill bits
RECEIVED - Piston ring tool - the ones that allow you to slide the piston in with the rings
Does anyone have an impact wrench?
Anyone have a radio/cd/mp3 player that plugs into the wall? Because I mean, seriously, DiS can't sing.
...anything else?
Also, does anyone know if the car is drivable? Will I damage it if I'm driving it with a bad ring? (or worse, a damaged piston??).