Not the phone call I wanted to hear... losing 100psi compression on 2 cylinders

[Kershaw]

did someone mention the likelihood of it being the headgasket when 2 cylinders adjacent to each other both have equal loss of compression?

[MattAvino]

did someone mention the likelihood of it being the headgasket when 2 cylinders adjacent to each other both have equal loss of compression?

Yes.

[MC Hammered]

did someone mention the likelihood of it being the headgasket when 2 cylinders adjacent to each other both have equal loss of compression?

Yes.

I'm hoping that this is the case and my tech gets to apologize and not charge me for the labour due to a bad diagnosis.

[kronus]

Actually it is a s52 and I am only reporting the info I was provided, but bottom line is 2 cylinders are losing a lot of compression.

ah, well, when did you get an M3? I thought this was the M5...

[MC Hammered]

ah, well, when did you get an M3? I thought this was the M5...

I took a loss and sold the M5 in February as it just wasn't doing it for me and bought this s52 swapped e30 touring.

[87e30]

head gasket?

[nrubenstein]

Compression test shows fluctuating 80-100psi on cylinder 5, 80psi on cylinder 6.

So they did a leak down test on my wagon and the issue is in the head... either an intake valve is bent or one of the lifters crapped out. I'm hoping it is the latter.

Head is coming off the engine next to determine what the fault is... so any one want to take a guess?

Of course, when cylinders are leaking into each other, the chances that both are fully sealed are, well, pretty much nil. 5 and 6 will not be simultaneously closed when one is at TDC (if ever), therefore you will absolutely be blowing air out through the head. 5-6 is classic S50/52 head gasket failure. Those cylinders tend to run a little leaner and there isn't much meat to the gasket, either.

[MC Hammered]

Well the head came off and it was determined that the head gasket failed between cylinders 5 & 6, the gasket between the remaining cylinders were damaged as well during inspection.





New gaskets have been ordered, carbon cleaned off the piston heads and the head has been checked out.

I should get the car back on Monday so I can start the interior project.