help please....!!

[e30jones]

Just bought an 84 318i, had a cracked rad so i replaced it, but back brake lines are still shot and have to be replaced (soon, maybe?). Just did a compression test today

Results
Cyl 1 -- 149
Cyl 2 -- 130
Cyl 3 -- 149
Cyl 4 -- 148

Is this still ok, what would make cyl 2 be lower than the rest. I assume its not a headgasket since the two cyl's around it both have high compression (i hope its not a head gskt) Any ideas what to check next, don't really want to rebuild my engine...funds and time are low

Any suggestions????
Thanks

[modifiede30]

If you're sure the spark plug adapter was tight, then it could be a number of things, piston rings, valve seal, worn valve seat, head gasket, fuel injector seals. It can only be a handful of items given the number of components that create the seal. Hope its not a cracked or warped head. Can you smell fuel when the engine is running? Have you done a leakdown test. Any white smoke when you start the engine? Any coolant in the oil when you drained it last. How's the idle?

[e30evolution]

leak down test is the key..... you can tell what percentage of the air is leaking out and if you listen you can hear where it is coming from.... out the intake manifold it is leaking past the valves.... out the valve cover it is leaking by the piston rings

[e30jones]

thanks for the info guys....

aparently i'll have to get my brakes working so that i can go and have a leakdown done. I just didn't want to spend any more money if it's not worth it, but I guess I have no choice.

Later

[modifiede30]

Could be really cheap to fix, or really expensive - but its definitely worth figuring this part out.