Rep Power: 0

I just finished the head gasket in my 2002 Honda Civic EX 1.7 D17A2 (1HGEM21082L077450 if it helps) and I have weird and very low compression results. I installed a new felpro head-gasket and currently have #1: 32 #2 30 #3 like 8 #4 70. My head is true with no warparge or cracks and the block past the test and there are no cracks I put a little oil in all the cylinders and got minimal gains across the board (1-5psi) I'm wondering where I should start? Could my timing be off by 180? Could it still be the rings? Please any and all suggestion are helpful as I have full time access to a post lift (I run an auto shop and my tech is out of town for the week on vacation so any and all ideas will be tried with photos and exact results

 
Rep Power: 229

You made sure to open the throttle all the way while testing right?

Also test your compression tester against a known good one.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the fast reply @mac25! Yes I tried both actually just in case with little difference. It's a brand new one and it worked perfectly on another vehicle today so I doubt it's the tools fault (Unfortunately) Woah a Dual cam D17?! Thats like a dream conversion/upgrade and I didn't even know that was possible like how?

 
Rep Power: 244

I think he is referring to the second "Cam" as his name.

I would verify timing yes.

Was the head gasket replaced because of overheating?

 
Rep Power: 518

You did a compression test and it was scary low, how about a leakdown test to figure out where it's going?

Verify camshaft timing is correct, "by the book"
And that the cam gear bolt wasn't left loose (LOL)

Was the rockertrain pulled off of the head?

Check valve adjustments. Too tight could explain low compression, and waaay too loose might mean bent valve(s).

If your mechanic person pulled the head off and then slapped it on the bench (or floor) flat, it may have bent whatever valves were open at the time.

Felpro head gasket has had several poor reviews by members here. OEM is the way to go.

 
Rep Power: 210

if that is the case, you likely have damaged/bent valves now after cranking it


did you torque the head bolts in the proper pattern and to spec?

 
Rep Power: 518

No. Because the crank-cam drive ratio is 2:1, this is not possible. Just spin the crank one more turn and the cam will be right side up. Assuming it's really in time.



If the cam gear was maybe a quarter turn off, that would cause damage. About 5 teeth or more out of time might be in the "possible damage" range.