Advice after compression test

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  • rzmoser
    Advanced Member
    • Feb 2016
    • 106

    #1

    Advice after compression test

    I'm looking for some advice on the health of my m20 after a compression test. I've been thinking about turbocharging it, only to 8psi, but thought I'd do a compression test to see if the engine can even handle it. Its a 325i with 280,000 miles, but was mostly driven by an older women throughout its life. I have receipts going back to 1991 but don't have any record of the engine ever being overhauled. Here are the numbers I got:


    1 - 150
    2 - 148
    3 - 148
    4 - 142
    5 - 80 (150 with oil)
    6 - 150


    So it seems the rings are bad on cylinder 5 as the number jumped way up after adding a bit of oil to the cylinder.


    The other thing is the spark plus, which looked fine when I adjusted the valves ~8,000 miles ago, but now all have white crust over them. The only thing that's changed since then is I replaced the oxygen sensor. Seems the car is running lean. I've ordered new plugs but would like to get the car running right so I don't foul them too.
  • packratbimmer
    E30 Fanatic
    • Dec 2009
    • 1329

    #2
    #5 rings might be stuck or gummed up. Try doing some hard downshifts (like on an exit ramp)

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    • jlevie
      R3V OG
      • Nov 2006
      • 13530

      #3
      It does sound like #5 has bad rings. A leak down test will tell for sure.
      The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
      Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

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