viceversa Posted October 21, 2003 Share Posted October 21, 2003 I got a EA82 motor out of a parts car, and had a shade tree mechanic install it. He didn't connect some coolant line by the water pump and all the coolant leaked out, overheating the car. I pulled compression and the driver's side showed about 85, and passenger's side somewhat higher. So the heads are obviously cracked.He is willing to redo the heads but problem the owner of the Loyale is real busy. Is that a real problem? The car drives nicely without any apparent problems. I think he also installed the timing chains wrong because they broke the other day, stranding the car. <sigh> He re-installed them but don't know if correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted October 21, 2003 Share Posted October 21, 2003 you need a new mechanic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted October 21, 2003 Share Posted October 21, 2003 were the head gaskets new? if they were the original gaskets, the gasket probably let go before she cracked a head. it is normal for a soob to have a slight crack between the valves. as long as the valve seat didnt fall out!, i have used some questionablr heads myself and they worked fine. chances are it just needs a head gasket. but do both of them for safer measure. dont let some backyard mechanic screw up your ride, trying to put it together like some kind of ford or chevy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viceversa Posted October 22, 2003 Author Share Posted October 22, 2003 Yes, I do, but the best mechanic is the one you see in the mirror. I didn't have the time to mess with it, but next time, I surely will. Armed with FSM, I can do lots of things, it's just that half the time it turns into a huge learning experience. I think that specific head gasket was original with 90K miles on it. It had good compression before I bought it and after the overheat episode, came from 150 psi to 90 psi. I haven't noticed any difference in performance or anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRhere Posted October 22, 2003 Share Posted October 22, 2003 It's possible that you popped a head gasket. But improperly timed cams will give you low compression reading also. If you can get a portable airtank, put the fitting for your comp tester in the suspected plug hole, then add air. Listen for air at oil fill, exhaust pipe, intake, and watch for bubbles in the radiator. You will want to have the piston as close to TDC as you can get it. I use a pencil in the plug hole to find TDC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viceversa Posted October 30, 2003 Author Share Posted October 30, 2003 OK, but in general, do you care about OK compression numbers? What are the consequences of lower compression? Less power, lower mpg? I should also mention that it consumes coolant. Does that have something to do with this past overheating incident? Could a cracked head or head gasket result in a leak? I am not exactly sure how much it consumes but I will keep track of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrub2k Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 If it Consumes Coolant, It Most likely is Leaking it into the Cylinder, Which is normal with a Blown HG or a Cracked Head, Check your Oil and See if its a Murky Brown Color which happens when you mix the coolant and Oil, Replace Both head Gaskets and Check that head for any Large Cracks and Go From There, Good Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viceversa Posted October 31, 2003 Author Share Posted October 31, 2003 It doesn't appear to have coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant. Nor does it appear to be using coolant. I think I will just leave it alone though I am slightly worried about lower compression on the driver's side. Would it make sense to pull compression when the engine is hot, maybe it will run higher? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viceversa Posted November 18, 2003 Author Share Posted November 18, 2003 ^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrub2k Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 Well i dont know if it can or will give you a higher reading or anything but that might make a difference since metal expands when it is hot and contracts when it is cold, but try getting a compression reading when its hot other than that i would suggest replacing the head gaskets maybe one of the heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meeky Moose Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 i'd say pop the radiator out, pull the timing belt covers and check the timing yourself.. its fairly easy.. and never hurts to double check.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 i would say that a cracked head is less likely to run than just a bad head gasket. my turbo cracked a head, and before doing so, it would expell white steam out the exhust, leaking out the exhaust port. do you have any suspicious smoke coming out the tailpipe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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