88 Honda compression leakage

88 honda accord LX, Carb, adjustable valves. One cylinder has very
little compression, 55
compared to 170 for the other three. Is there a trick to determine
whether it is the valves or the piston that is leaking compression? I
put on a new head gasket and it make no diff. Your knowledge and help
is welcomed and appreciated.
regards
david

Squirt a teaspon (~5cc/ml) of 2stroke oil through
the spark plug hole. You can use regular oil, but
it burns very dirty and might add to your problems.
If the cylinder rings are worn, this will seal them
long enough for a test.

Are you sure the new gasket is one correctly, with
the proer torque?
Terry

wrote:
> 88 honda accord LX, Carb, adjustable valves. One cylinder has very
> little compression, 55
> compared to 170 for the other three. Is there a trick to determine
> whether it is the valves or the piston that is leaking compression? I
> put on a new head gasket and it make no diff. Your knowledge and help
> is welcomed and appreciated.
> regards
> david
>

add a spoonful of oil to the spark plug hole of the low cylinder. if the
pressure rises now, its your rings. if it doesnt? valves. or cylinder
head gasket...

For a more definitive answer, do a leak-down test, or have one done if you
don't have an air compressor. If you do, the tester (gauge and a regulator)
can be bought for $55-$90 at various places online, including Ebay.


"SoCalMike" > wrote in message
news:zdLxd.297758$R05.60758@attbi_s53...
> wrote:
> > 88 honda accord LX, Carb, adjustable valves. One cylinder has very
> > little compression, 55
> > compared to 170 for the other three. Is there a trick to determine
> > whether it is the valves or the piston that is leaking compression? I
> > put on a new head gasket and it make no diff. Your knowledge and help
> > is welcomed and appreciated.
> > regards
> > david
> >
>
> add a spoonful of oil to the spark plug hole of the low cylinder. if the
> pressure rises now, its your rings. if it doesnt? valves. or cylinder
> head gasket...