low compression Not sure what to do now
#1
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Age: 39
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 low compression Not sure what to do now
So I have a 98 DX D16Y7 170k miles. So far I have put new HG, new head bolts, new rad, new thermostat and thermostat housing, the timing was done in March with new belt, tensioner, and water pump. The car runs and drives but it has low compression and it FINALLY doesn’t over heat anymore. I drove it about 6 hours to have my brother in law take it to Mexico to get a paint job and the AC fixed and I didn’t have to stop due to the over heating issue I was having previously. My biggest issue at this point is low compression. I did compression test and my psi is as follows.... #1 160, #2 140, #3 130, and #4 170. I have read way too much on what the correct PSI compression should be and I’m at a loss. It’s not smoking so I’m wondering if the rings could be fried without smoke? I’m also getting misfire in all 4 cylinders. When I drive it I hear a sound like a spray paint can rattle when I accelerate and I’m under the impression this is detonation. Can someone PLEASE give me some advice on what this might be?
#2
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Age: 39
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: HELP!! Not sure what to do now
Also, when I had replaced my HG the first time I had the head resurfaced and reused the original head bolts which apparently I’m not supposed to do and used a cheap head gasket. It had started to over heat again so I put a fel pro HG and bought new head bolts the second time around. It’s not over heating now and I don’t seem to have any bubbles coming out where the rad cap is which is obviously a sign of a bad HG. Again, at this point I’m just trying to figure out my low compression and if it’s my rings even though it’s not smoking. Also, ALL my seals and gaskets have been replaced including front and rear main seals, cam shaft seals, valve cover and oil pain gaskets, spark plus seals, EVERYTHING except the valve stem seals.
#3
PITA Admin
Administrator
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: TN
Age: 52
Posts: 14,780
Received 1,440 Likes
on
1,196 Posts
Rep Power: 338 Re: low compression Not sure what to do now
recheck spark plug torque
#5
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Age: 39
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: low compression Not sure what to do now
#6
Dr Krieger of Modification
Re: low compression Not sure what to do now
Did you keep track of the original valve order?
Did you de-glaze the cylinders?
If not then the valves/rings may need time to break in and deal properly.
Also hopefully you clocked the rings the right way and none of the gaps rotated over the wrist pins.
Did you de-glaze the cylinders?
If not then the valves/rings may need time to break in and deal properly.
Also hopefully you clocked the rings the right way and none of the gaps rotated over the wrist pins.
#7
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Age: 39
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: low compression Not sure what to do now
I didn’t replace piston rings or anything. I’m only wondering if that could be my issue even though it’s not smoking.
#8
PITA Admin
Administrator
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: TN
Age: 52
Posts: 14,780
Received 1,440 Likes
on
1,196 Posts
Rep Power: 338
#9
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Age: 39
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: low compression Not sure what to do now
#10
PITA Admin
Administrator
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: TN
Age: 52
Posts: 14,780
Received 1,440 Likes
on
1,196 Posts
Rep Power: 338 Re: low compression Not sure what to do now
true that, sorry.
#11
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Age: 39
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
#12
PITA Admin
Administrator
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: TN
Age: 52
Posts: 14,780
Received 1,440 Likes
on
1,196 Posts
Rep Power: 338 Re: low compression Not sure what to do now
it's common for the oil rings to get stuck with carbon deposits and they will not function proper anymore to hold oil.
#13
Dr Krieger of Modification
Re: low compression Not sure what to do now
Did you deck the head? If not then that gap may be losing compression. Especially with cylinders 2 and 3 showing low compression. The middle of the head is usually where it warps.
#14
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Age: 39
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Re: low compression Not sure what to do now
I had the head decked before I did my first HG. I didn’t do it for the second one. It only over heated once after the first HG replacement, don’t think I even drove it 100 miles. Think it would have warped again?
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
shark13
1st - 5th Generation Civic 1973 - 1995
17
03-11-2015 03:20 PM
Dan Laz
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
1
12-23-2014 08:26 PM
texas-longhorn
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
36
01-14-2013 12:45 PM