My '95 Kick 16V has felt down in power of the last several months. I finally ran a compression test and here are the results:

1) 147
2) 153
3) 162
4) 156

Test was done on a hot engine. I also the test wet:

1) 165
2) 192
3 187
4) 166

These are all down from when I did the test about five years ago (results here - reply #12). As I understand it, spec  for a 1995 16V is 195 psi, right?

My Kick has 172,XXX miles on it. I'm guessing that, since no single cylinder was much lower than another, that my engine is simply old and it's time for a rebuild or reman.

Any thoughts?

If I recall correctly, those numbers are approaching the lower limit for acceptable and the manual flags a variation between cylinders of more than 15 psi as cause for concern, and you certainly have that - so - yes, with those compression numbers and that mileage, I'd say you're looking at a rebuild in the not too distant future.

If I recall correctly, those numbers are approaching the lower limit for acceptable and the manual flags a variation between cylinders of more than 15 psi as cause for concern, and you certainly have that - so - yes, with those compression numbers and that mileage, I'd say you're looking at a rebuild in the not too distant future.

Thanks, Fordem.

Now the question becomes to I have it rebuilt, buy a remanufactured engine, or ... ? Ugh.

My personal preference is a rebuild, but that's because I have access to other vehicles so "down time" is not an issue and I can either do it myself, or have someone I trust do it, if I'm feeling lazy.

At the end of the exercise, I know that I'll have a reliable motor that I can expect to last many more miles.

Your circumstances might be different, good quality remanufactured motors might be easier to get where you are (they're not here - it's either a rebuild or a used, hopefully good, motor)

Had a pretty bad time trying to get to the NW Overland Rally last week. Ended up having to trailer the truck home six hours. I lost most power under 3,000 RPM. Thing would barely idle. When I'd floor it, the engine would just bog. If I cracked the throttle a little, it'd slowly rev until 3,000 RPM. We coasted into the event where I had a number of people look at it and give me their two cents.

I did advance the ignition timing a lot, and that helped, but it still wasn't good enough to drive six hours home.

Once I got the thing home, I did another compression test and the results weren't great again.

1) 133
2) 140
3) 139
4) 142

Just for grins, I'm going to do a leakdown test. However, I think the next step is to check the cam timing to make sure the keyway on the crank isn't damaged and the timing skipped a tooth.

Is removing the radiator necessary to get the crank pulley off?

FYI, you can read a more detailed account here:

http://www.subcompactculture.com/2016/06/engine-issues-for-teal-terror.html

However, I think the next step is to check the cam timing to make sure the keyway on the crank isn't damaged and the timing skipped a tooth.

Is removing the radiator necessary to get the crank pulley off?

FYI, you can read a more detailed account here:

It does sound like a crank pulley problem, the pulley will come off without removing the rad.

You may want to adjust the valves prior to the leakdown test.