Ran a compression test today... - Honda Prelude Forum

Preyluder · 09-19-2003, 02:44 PM

Today, we did comp. tests on our cars in class, and we have a computer program that tells you anything and everything about any car ever made (practically), and it said that back in '92, off the lot, my car should've had a standard psi of 178 across all cylinders and no less than 135... well, across 3 of my 4 cyl.'s, it read 130. Not bad for being 11 yrs. old I guess, BUT, the 3rd cyl. in the head ran 110, and that's doing a wet test (applying oil to the spark plug chamber)... dry, it read 100ish. Soooo, what do you guys think? The wet test told me that it could be a worn piston ring, maybe even something valve related. What do you guys think I should do?

red94turbo · 09-19-2003, 03:00 PM

rebuild or jdm h22 swap

Preyluder · 09-19-2003, 03:16 PM

rebuild??? That's the weird thing about all of this... my car runs like a CHAMP!!! It's got almost 130k miles on it, and NOTHING is wrong with it... maybe the comp. tester was just jacked up. There's no way I'm gonna rebuild something that's not even broke. I'm gonna talk to my mechanic about it I guess.

red94turbo · 09-19-2003, 03:18 PM

does it use any oil

what did the spark plug in the low cylinder look like

prelude styl · 09-19-2003, 03:46 PM

Those numbers all sound low, even the numbers your computer is telling to give. When I did my compression test, I ran 150, 205, 200, 210... yes the #1 cyl has bent valves, but look at the rest of the cylinders. And I have the same year and model as you do. I did the test with 3 compression testers, all the same results. Maybe it's just me, but those numbers are WAY low.

G_Loc · 09-19-2003, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by red94turbo
not to be disrespectful but why do most of the people on here have a mechanic.

you know... there IS an edit button so you could add text to a post instead of making multiple posts

Whats wrong with having a mechanic? Sometimes I don't have time to do something so i'll call my mechanic and he'll do it.

back to topic... did you run the test at WOT?

yield · 09-19-2003, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Preyluder
rebuild??? That's the weird thing about all of this... my car runs like a CHAMP!!!

Ya, haven't you ever read his racing posts? He NEVER loses!!!

Maybe you have secret powers?? Start saving up for the JDM baby and then you will NEVER EVER lose!

And regarding mechanics, umm yeah, most of the people on here aren't freaking car geniuses yet... that's why we're on here asking questions

But I have to say that because of cool people on here I haven't had to take my car into the mechanic for about a year, which is purty darn good me thinks!

SikRedRX-8 · 09-20-2003, 08:21 AM

those are extremely low numbers. Your rings are most likely bad. I did a test the other day and put 210 across the board. Time to do the rebuild.

Preyluder · 09-20-2003, 11:32 AM

My car burns (or leaks, I'm not sure) MAYBE 3/4 quart of oil between each oil change... not bad at all. I don't have any smokes or anything coming out of my car (out of the ordinary ie. carbon).

My spark plugs look perfect, no problems at all. All burning clean.

I dunno, this is just too much... I can't believe I need to rebuild my engine.

Oh, and I find it essential to have my own mechanic right now. I'm only in college, and I won't feel safe working on my valvetrain, pistons, etc. by myself, until I get my degree and stuff. Plus, my neighbor is the chief mechanic at St.Louis Honda, so I trust him more than myself.

EDIT: G_loc, what do you mean wot?? Do I need to? All I was doing was, my friend put the tester in the spark plug hole, tightened it down, then I cranked it until the gauge went as high as it would go. I didn't know you were supposed to use the gas pedal.

SikRedRX-8 · 09-20-2003, 11:42 AM

you have to disconnect the main relay, and then plug up your compression tester, and while you turn the car over it needs to be at WOT (wide open throtle) gas pedal all the way down.

Preyluder · 09-20-2003, 01:43 PM

Is that only on Honda's that you have to do that? My teacher don't know sh1t about imports, so he probably left that part out. I did a compression test before on my old prelude ('89), and there wasn't any main relay disconnecting involved... hmm.. well, I wish I knew where the main relay was.

EDIT: Is the main relay the big ol' black fuse box.

G_Loc · 09-20-2003, 04:51 PM

just remove the 10 amp fuse labeled "back up" as it will cut fuel to the engine

LuderForChrist · 09-20-2003, 10:28 PM

Rebuild, dont take the chance! Had a friend that though he was ok but eventually lost everthing and the car's engine chewed it self to bits.

Preyluder · 09-21-2003, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by G_Loc
just remove the 10 amp fuse labeled "back up" as it will cut fuel to the engine

The red one? Alright, I'll try it.

LudeForChrist, I'm now thinking I just did the test wrong, although I don't see how running the test at wot on an engine that's not gettin any fuel anyway is gonna help, but I'm gonna try it. There's simply NOTHING wrong with my engine, so this has to be it. :crosses fingers: