Hi folks, new here on this forum.
I have a 90 LX 2.2 Accord that I just did a compression test on and I have some bad results as listed. My engine does smoke when cold and under moderate to full acceleration above 3,000 rpm and fouls the #3 cylinder within a week of daily driving The smoke is not that noticeable under normal driving.
Cold engine compression check is as follows.
#1 145
#2 143
#3 40
#4 160

Same results on the #3 cylinder after shooting some engine oil in there to check for changes. No change in compression at all.

What am I looking at here, bad rings only one cylinder, cracked piston, excessively worn valve guides? I appreciate all the help I can get with this as it is my daughters car and she needs me to get it running better.

 

Blown rings. Replace the motor or rebuild it.

 

Find an technician who knows how to do a "leak-down" test. This will pinpoint the problem.
http://autos.yahoo.com/maintain/repa...ques057_1.html

 

No change w/ addition of oil to cylinder suggests a leaking valve, if you put enough oil into the cylinder. I agree that a leak-down test will be more definitive. Those compressions are a bit on the low side in general, suggesting engine wear.

What is service history of this engine, miles on car?

regards

 

Or a leaking head gasket. I suggest a leakdown test also.

 

Yeah, I was thinking maybe valves since the addition of a few squirts of oil didn't change it at all. But it is oiling a lot. Could the valve guides be bad enough to cause the oil burning and low compression?

I will probably be pulling the head for a closer look see. The motor has 211,000 on it but was running fine other than the fouling plug and oil burning.

Thanks for all the advice, it is much appreciated.

 

Does the engine have a lot of noise/lifter rattle? When was the last time a valve adjustment was done? It probably won't fix the issue completely but it won't hurt it either.... And I'm going to agree with the idea that it's a valve issue but also the engine is a bit worn out....

 

The engine is pretty quiet and only had a little rocker noise when cold. I haven't had the car long so I have no idea when the lifters were last adjusted or checked.

 

Just curious how many miles on that bad boy?

 

211,000.... I think he posted it around the middle of the page.... I read it before and it still took me a while to find it *L*