Compressions/Leakdown Test results

[fixkick]

Greetings! This website/forum has been an incredible source of knowledge and expertise. Thank you to everyone for being a part of this community!


I recently purchased a Geo Tracker, 96, 16v M/T, 160k miles, southern car, countless previous owners. It was somebody's converted huntin' rig and had the deer blood stains to prove it! I purchased it in a barely running condition. It would idle roughly, but die if given more than 10% throttle. The PO had put in a new fuel pump and replaced the MAP before giving up on it and selling it to me. I planned to do a full top end rebuild given the spotty maintenance history and picked up all of the gaskets/belts I would need to do that. 

The fuel pump had been improperly grounded. Once I fixed that it ran rough, but did not die under throttle. It smogged heavily however. OBD2 scan revealed the TPS was faulty, I assume the smog was due to it being in limp home mode. The TPS is stupid expensive so while I saved up for that part I set about doing the top end rebuild. Fel-pro gaskets and a Gates timing kit. Removed the head, gave everything a good clean. Removed and replaced the crank sproket to check the crank key. Everything was looking good. Checked the head with a decent straight edge, but did not send it to a shop. 

Reassembled everything and put the new TPS on it but could not get it to start. Spark/Fuel pressure was good. Did a compression test and got the following.

Dry
1-115
2-163
3-110
4-128

Wet
1-115
2-171
3-120
4-148

I then did a leakdown test on each cylinder to identify the problem areas:

1 - 80% loss, leaking from crankcase
2 - 10% loss
3 - 45% loss, leaking from crankcase
4 - 50% loss, leaking from crankcase

The Dry/Wet compression tests showed improvement in some cylinders but not all. Speaking about #1 specifically, would a massive gap in the piston rings prevent a wet test from improving compression? Or am I missing something on the head. 

I'm considering sending the head out to be more thoroughly checked but the local shop is $325 for a crack check, pressure check, and a resurface. If the valves are an issue I'll be spending more than that. If I also have to do a bottom end rebuild I might just start looking for a new engine.

Thank you in advance!

I compression test done warm or hot , hot = 180f (we do it warm, so now hot hands worked) and at WOT, if the throttle is not blocked open (fuel pump relay pulled)
there may be no air to pump, (IAC is only source and is only a source over 150f water temp) so never do compression with throttle closed, open it a tad to full)
let the needle peak, do not count crank turns, let it peak. (it will do that  in say 3 turns) battery fully charged and good, (im sure you know that)but others may not.

so the head was pulled and ,new head gasket put down, felfpro is good.?????
with head off and now rockers are free
the valve 16 valves must not leak ,now, the classic DIY test, is invert the head, and fill each combustion chamber 1/2 full of say paint thinner. and it must not leak to the ports. (even a new head will not leak gasoline tired)<<< the latter is fume and fire danger. (in shops they have fire proof solvent to do this test) Brake cleaner? if minor leakage the valves can be hand lapped in.

compression test:
the cylinders are fully round warm+ and not cold. (ring leakage happens cold)
but is a moot point the valves are bad. wet fails. as does the leak down prove fail and moot too. (but gee cracked Piston rings, or fully carbon packed up and compressed will fail all tests) but wet tests on good piston ring only worn do seal up wet.(normal wear that the carbon horror, running in limphome for 10 years. black smoke at the tail)

is lash at spec?
or someone set lash all wrong using the wrong way of 2 possible.  (suzuki book way and the classic, both cam lobs on the heels is closed valves for sure)
also the rocker keepers ID6 love to fall out as the there tiny springs  (horseshoe spring) fail.  (they crack) and ID11 are now hard to buy (source) or missing.
part ID 11
http://fixkick.com/engine/96-98%2016v%20...ngine5.jpg




Good luck on this motor.