Bad piston rings - stop leak

[Jccck]

I agree, rebuild the engine.

Anything else is a bandaid

No point rebuilding the Engine, he doesn't even know if that's the problem.

A compression test tells you if a cylinder is loosing compression ( ie leak)....not enough evidence to simply suggest "bad rings"

Use a LEAK DOWN test to find out where it is leaking from ! Most mechanics should be able to do this

+1!

Cylinder Leakage Test.. Awesome way to determine 100% what is the cause of compression loss.
I don't know about 'most' mechanics though =P

Also, just because she blows some Smoke.. It could be many things, not just the Rings.
Infact something as simple as the PCV valve being blocked can cause pressure in the crank case forcing oil into the combustion chamber.. Which causes no damage and is fixed for as little as $20.

[SLOBRO]

A compression test tells you if a cylinder is loosing compression ( ie leak)....not enough evidence to simply suggest "bad rings"

Use a LEAK DOWN test to find out where it is leaking from ! Most mechanics should be able to do this

noo you can find out if your rings are stuffed with compression test

first there's the normal compression test where you pull out all spark plugs, disconnect the distributor plug, remove the fuel pump fuse and plug in the compression tester while someone is inside with foot down on accelerator and cranking 6 rotations

and to test even further you have to squirt some oil into the cylinder and crank it a couple of rotations then do the compression test again 1 by 1 then compare the numbers from test 1 with test 2(with oil) if its a big jump in numbers then there you go its your piston rings

[bennjamin]

noo you can find out if your rings are stuffed with compression test

first there's the normal compression test where you pull out all spark plugs, disconnect the distributor plug, remove the fuel pump fuse and plug in the compression tester while someone is inside with foot down on accelerator and cranking 6 rotations

and to test even further you have to squirt some oil into the cylinder and crank it a couple of rotations then do the compression test again 1 by 1 then compare the numbers from test 1 with test 2(with oil) if its a big jump in numbers then there you go its your piston rings

Thanks for that

But what if valve stem seals or valves or head gasket are out of spec or worn etc ? Would a compression test give the same "difference" in numbers as per "bad rings" ?

I summarized above that the better way to work out where you are losing compression , is with a leak down test.

[SLOBRO]

stem seals got nothing to do with compression and i don't think the test with oil in the cylinder will make a difference if your head gasket or valves are bad
offcoarse leak down test is better but i reckon with the wet and dry compression test you'd be even more sure that it's your piston rings if theres a big jump in numbers

[ceekay101]

You can lose compression through valves... If you valves aren't sealing during compression stroke the air will merely leak out thus less compression. it's like squeezing a balloon that hasn't been tied up, it won't pop it will just blow all the air out.

[Setanta]

A compression test tells you if a cylinder is loosing compression ( ie leak)....not enough evidence to simply suggest "bad rings"

Use a LEAK DOWN test to find out where it is leaking from ! Most mechanics should be able to do this

This is twice that Ben has put good advice in one thread - I'd be taking this advice to the exclusion of anyone that differs

[jase89]

just want to put this out cause you mentioned stop leak lol.

have a watch of this this guy has good knowledge of hondas here and there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76GpMD4LIwY