My baby is sick...

[Sykohtic]

Well, just when I get her back on the road, she's back off. Took the 87 325is in last week for an oil change. When they cranked it up, they expressed concern in some smoke that puffed out of the muffler, which I had noticed only that morning. Basic compression test and cylinder number uno is low. 2 pounds off where it's supposed to be, and 20 pounds under the highest point (what they told me if I remember right). Cars going in Friday to the main mechanic I use to have a more comprehensive compression test done to find out the exact issue, and have new engine gaskets and head bolts installed, after we take the head off and put it on the machine to check it. So I'm hoping that's the extent, just a head gasket.

Has anyone else run into this? Likely has the original gaskets and such on it... And after it sat for a year and a half it has an excuse for sure on why they'd go bad, but is there any other more serious problem I should have the guy check outside what I said?

[ST1G]

I would put this in the technical area of the forum. Not the General car talk area.

The technical area is below the regional section on the main page.

[jlevie]

I agree, this belongs in the M20 section. But since I'm here...

The low compression could be worn rings/cylinder or valves. Wet and dry compression tests and a leak down test should reveal which. If the head is going to come off, a valve job and new seals should be done. The head should have at least a minimal surfacing cut to eliminate warp.

While worn rings or bad valve guides/seals will cause oil burning, intake leaks into the engine will increase the flow of oil vapors into the intake and result in oil burning. A smoke test will tell if that is happening.