Help! Under Pressure

[Big_kev]

Finally got a compression test kit for the car today and not happy with the results.

I left each of the other plugs in place without ignition leads while i tested each cylinder in turn.

Counting from the front of the engine all cylinders registered approx 200psi when cranked except bore 2 which hardly registered at all (10psi max)

Is there anything that i can do to confirm my fears of blown head gasket prior to having to strip the head off.

If the head has to come off and i need to order a gasket where is best to buy. I noticed in previous threads to get them from GSF (what or whom are GSF and how do i contact them)

The other question is if i have to remove the head will i need to have it definately skimmed or will it depend on the condition. I have been told that alloy heads will almost definately warp when being taken off.

Thanks in advance for any help

Kevin

[S2central.net]

The head will have only warped if it overheated badly, or if you remove it incorrectly whilst its hot (unlikelY).

You could have a holed piston or valve(s) of course, buut whatever it is the head needs off to investigate if you see such a difference in that cylinder.

Paul

[Big_kev]

Cheers Paul

Thought as much. Need to go away and have a wee greet to myself. goodl news about the head though.

Will start tackling this at the weekend. Took two weeks off to relax and what do you know fate intervenes.

Anyone on the GSF info

Thanks again

Kevin

[220bhp]

You will need to have the head skimmed, and its as well to have it crack tested to.the head gasket you need is an RS2 metal gasket from gfs,German French and Swedish, About £65.
you will need a few other things,depending on how far you want to go. Do a search on hear, not an easy job but possible,BTDT

[Fat Audi 80]

www.gsfcarparts.com

Good luck

Cheers,

Steve.

[Nj]

there's one on pollockshaws rd in glasgow Kev. If you're not planning on being in this way and they won't post I could get it for you and post it.
cheers
Noel

[Big_kev]

cheers Noel for the offer. through in glasgow quite often so will pop in and part with my hard earned readies.

As to the head being skimmed. I have one vote for must and one for not standard. Any advances.

Kevin

[Nj]

no probs mate. good luck.

[S-Express]

when you take the head off, check it for straightness with a good steel rule and a set of feeler gauges, the out of flatness spec will be something like 0.1mm so if its within that, it won't need a skim.
Anyone know what the actual spec is for head flatness?

[Knight Rider S4]

Kev dont muck about get head skimmed ,ADU head gasket from GSF ,water pump,timing belt ,tensioner and pully bolt ,head studs from www.vagparts.com

When taking apart you will find that some of the EM studs will break on you so good idea to get a new set from vagparts (RS2 EM studs)....buy some new vacuum hosing as well when everything is off much easier to replace

When machinest skim head they will need to take out inlet valves as they sit proud on the head so buy yourself a valve spring compressor and some grinding paste

Others things that you might want to do when your front end is off is to put on Mark H mod as it will be a easy job and worth while

Have not long done this on mine so pretty fresh in my mind

If you are stuck with anything just PM me

Cheers

[Big_kev]

Cheers Knight Rider

Had the timing belt and lower pully changed as part of the original diagnostics before getting the compression tester. It looked like the belt had slipped a cog. Unfortunately it wasn't that simple. Where would the best place to have the head skimmed and what kind of bill should i expect. Is there anything i should be aware of when grinding in the valves. I have heard that you can do quite a bit of damage to the valve seats when grinding and this is better done by professionals (more money)?

Thanks again

Kev

[Knight Rider S4]

Were do you live Kev?

I got my head skimmed and pressure test for £50 ....valve are not that hard as long as make sure they are spotless when going back in no grinding paste left ...done in 2 stages were you use the course to clean the carbon marking and then the fine just to finish off seating when clean should be a clean tone sound when seated

The link attached is guys making seats and lapping and cool background music the sucker and paste section only applys to you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-cJqjFwYa8&mode=related&search=

This one relates to working valve spring compressor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOUwSFypI8I&mode=related&search=how%20to%20grind%20valves%20and%20valve%20seats%20tutorial

[Big_kev]

currently residing in a little know place off the west coast of wemyss bay called rothesay.

Heard of a business somewhere in Greenock that may do heads. If you could let me know where you got yours done I may be prepared to travel.

Cheers

Kev

[Knight Rider S4]

Know were that is ....a wee bit of a journey to Perth the place that does all my machine work is Alistair Reids and a good price compared to others..most of the people that are in there are old school so you know you are getting a good job done

Cheers

Steve