Implications of low compression

[Alistair C]

Looking at high mile S2s, what'd be the implications of the readings being in the region of 8.1 - 9.5 bar - assuming the tests were done properly and on a warm engine?

cheers!

[audiman]

Could be worn rings or slightly leaking valves, usually exhaust valves IME. Do a leak down test to find the cause of the problem.

[caterpillar]

you may use some engine oil,bye the sparkplugsholes,2-3 spoons,then you will see about the pistonrings,or the valves...if it is very mutch better komp,its the pistonrings,if not the walves are gone...

[Alistair C]

cheers for the replies guys - unfortunately doing these tests on a prospective purchase is something the AA / RAC don't get involved in - that's be far too useful.

Further info would be that the car's oil pressure is ~1.0 bar at warm idle.
Does this tell anything new or just confirms low compression?

[BRY]

AFAIK this is too low.
What oil is it running?
High miles = higher viscosity oil required - 10 minimum i.e. not quanta gold but castrol rs instead
do a search for oil presure on here and get ready for a long read

[Beetie]

Dont like mine then?!

[Chris M]

Should be around 2BAR at warm idle, 1 BAR sounds too low. As said before, could just be crap oil. What is it when its cold??

Cheers,

Chris

[Anees786]

What should they read when its cold Does 6 bar sound good

[audiman]

yeah sounds fine

Might be that the car is overdue an oil change, old oil tends to give less oil pressure. When my oil is old i get 2 bar warm idle pressure. Thats with new pump and bearings too.

[Beetie]

Mines done 130000 and still running on standard oil. No low pressure at all......