A few months ago I adjusted the valve lash on my 1.6L 8V.

I did a compression test recently and was disappointed to see:

1 -- 170
2 -- 160
3 -- 165
4 --  60

Yes, 60

I was hoping I did a horrible job of adjusting the valves, but I checked them today and they're all in spec

I have no oil on the plug (it's grayish-white) so I guess the rings are OK.  I have no sign head gasket leak in the oil, water, or the outside of the engine.  All I can think is that I've got a bad valve.

Oh well, I guess it could be worse.

I was going to put a throttle body spacer in but got kind of discouraged; maybe later.

Where can I get a compression test done?  

Where can I get a compression test done?  

Any competent mechanic, or get your own compression tester, They're not too expensive.

If you redo the head (valve job) you need to
make sure the engine is in good shape or it
will only last around 40,000 more miles before
it needs the bottom end done too.

I'd say more than 140-150 K miles and it
will need the bottom end too    sorry for
the bad news

Wild

Where can I get a compression test done?  

I just have a basic auto parts compression testor (not the leak-down setup).  Just pull the plugs, screw in the compression testor, and let it crank a few times.  It'll give you a general idea of the condition of the combustion chamber; hopefully, you'll have better luck than I did.

If you redo the head (valve job) you need to
make sure the engine is in good shape or it
will only last around 40,000 more miles before
it needs the bottom end done too.

I'd say more than 140-150 K miles and it
will need the bottom end too    sorry for
the bad news

Wild

Hey, I'd be thrilled with another 40k miles.  Should've stated, it has 150k on it now.  No complaints here.  For as high as these things have to tach to get down the highway, 150k is pretty impressive.

A few months ago I adjusted the valve lash on my 1.6L 8V.

I did a compression test recently and was disappointed to see:

1 -- 170
2 -- 160
3 -- 165
4 --  60

Yes, 60

I was hoping I did a horrible job of adjusting the valves, but I checked them today and they're all in spec

I have no oil on the plug (it's grayish-white) so I guess the rings are OK.  I have no sign head gasket leak in the oil, water, or the outside of the engine.  All I can think is that I've got a bad valve.

Oh well, I guess it could be worse.

I was going to put a throttle body spacer in but got kind of discouraged; maybe later.

That my worst fear. My friends, who also have trackers seem faster than me either that, I don't push the RPMs that high. I really care about my Tracker and maybe I baby it. Is that sooo wrong?

I did my top end when I had a burnt valve
at 200,000 miles, it lasted for about 30,000
more before it got really tired, good side
was it only needed rings and bearings to
feel fine again   well that and a Turbo


Wild  

turbo..drools

MMMM............ Turbo

^ hahaha thats great  

A few months ago I adjusted the valve lash on my 1.6L 8V.

I did a compression test recently and was disappointed to see:

1 -- 170
2 -- 160
3 -- 165
4 --  60

Yes, 60

I was hoping I did a horrible job of adjusting the valves, but I checked them today and they're all in spec

I have no oil on the plug (it's grayish-white) so I guess the rings are OK.  I have no sign head gasket leak in the oil, water, or the outside of the engine.  All I can think is that I've got a bad valve.

Oh well, I guess it could be worse.

I was going to put a throttle body spacer in but got kind of discouraged; maybe later.

Several things make the compression, the rings and valve is the biggest of them. Try adding some oil into the cylinder and see if this bumps you up some. If it does, then rings could be the problem. I'd also check pcv valve. With compression getting by the rings, it goes into the crank area, thus into the block and heads where the oil has channels to return to the sump.

sounds like a valve leaking....
a wet test is old school. A leakdown test is more with the times. If you are sure the valves are set right .. any further testing is probably a waste of time tho....

there is a lot of folklore about doing valve jobs on older engines and burning oil ect.

however I have a better method of sizing things up....  
If you do a valve job. look at the top of the pistons , if they (ALL) have an even build up of carbon across the top  then a valve job is all you need.
If there is a clean area around the perimeter of the piston top. from the edge to Like a 1/8" in, then this indicates oil pasing the rings.  properly sealing valves will bring out the oil burning beast in your finished project.

   

well, there are oil rings and compression rings
from what i hear, it can have horrible compression but not burn oil, it is 2:50 am and i might not be thinking properly but i think thats right
and 200,000 miles on an engine wild?!?! holy, i would've been so happy with that, up here(in canada) i'd say i see a lot at 200,000kms, and maybe liek 235,000 for the higher end, 200km=~125miles
maybe u guys take better careof your cars
Andrew

It's possible but highly unlikely that oil rings are good and compression rings leak..... unless they are broken in which case you wil have extreme blowby causing oil fowling of the spark plugs and oil washing on the piston tops(from the top down) if this is the case and that is possible with the compression readings listed. it will look pretty oily inthe combustion chamber.

I would add that I have been an auto tech for 18 years and done a lot of heavy duty work (engines internal) but this is the internet and here, everyone is an expert