Non starter / chain changed diagnostics help please

astra22bertoneauto

focusrite said:
So compression test done and after lots of googling I'm not 100% sure on the correct interpretation of the results other than they are slightly low. Vocky has said minimum should be 163: https://z22se.co.uk/threads/cylinder-compression.3768/

My results:

1: 130 psi
2: 110 psi
3: 130 psi
4: 130 psi

So I don't think that I have any valve damage :woot: but the timing could be slightly out. I'm recharging the battery so I can double check the results.

Are these results from a dry or wet compression test???

If it was a dry test then pour a small bit of oil down the spark plug hole before doing the test. If you get higher readings then that would indicate sticking/worn piston rings (also engine breathes heavier). If not then id look towards valves/guides worn.

If timing was out by a tooth or 2 then you would get staggered results. e.g. Hi - Lo - Hi - lo

You could also try resetting/refitting your timing chain with all marks aligned. then crank engine over by hand with spark plugs fitted and you should feel compression and hear air leaking out as you crank then engine. If its easy to crank over (you dont feel/hear compression/air) then something is a miss.

focusrite

That's a dry test. I was going to verify that test with a freshly charged battery before trying a wet test. I have just been reading up on the fuel pressure test you recommend on another thread. I'm not sure yet if I'm getting enough fuel pressure. I have pressed the valve in and fuel didn't squirt right up as you've indicated, it just trickled out, but then I'm not sure I had the ignition on and the pump primed at the time. Probably not but it's something to test.

So the readings do indicate the timing is on, that's good to know (y)

I might just put the plugs in and do a hand crank as the engine turns with the usual slight resistance as the cam turns with the plugs out.

focusrite

Just re-read:

If timing was out by a tooth or 2 then you would get staggered results. e.g. Hi - Lo - Hi - lo

Do you mean on each cylinder or if I get different compression readings when I re-check them?

astra22bertoneauto

focusrite said:
Just re-read:

Do you mean on each cylinder or if I get different compression readings when I re-check them?

Sorry yes i mean on your first test. but yes also when you do a wet test - if they are hi - lo etc then that would suggest timing is out. most likely wont be thou as your dry test showed even results except for no.2

astra22bertoneauto

Also yes make sure battery is fully charged as that wont help the results.

focusrite

Thanks for that.

I just want to make sure I'm doing this properly, injector wiring plugs off. Fuel pump relay out. All four plugs out, WOT.

vocky

did you have the throttle body open when you did the test ?

if not the readings would be low

focusrite

Yes mr.V I have a long socket jamming the throttle open.

Well the plot thickens.

I re-tried the test twice more with a recharged battery each time (about an hour apart each time) and the readings keep changing.

My results:

  Test 1        Test 2          Test 3

1: 130 psi 110 psi 125 psi
2: 110 psi 70 psi 70 psi
3: 130 psi 60 psi 52 psi
4: 130 psi 130 psi 80 psi

Head gasket???

focusrite

Perseverance is King. I had the Egr valve off and tested that with the battery all working fine. So I decided there was nothing more to do but bolt it all up and call it a day. I thought I'd look at the fuel pressure before going in and I noticed it took 4 turns of the ignition to get the correct pressure (is it called priming the pump?). Then I had a go at turning it over, I left it going for approx 25 seconds and it eventually fired up! So I left it to idle and warm up while I put the wheel back on.

Off for a test drive. (y)

IDI_AMIN

focusrite said:
So compression test done and after lots of googling I'm not 100% sure on the correct interpretation of the results other than they are slightly low. Vocky has said minimum should be 163: https://z22se.co.uk/threads/cylinder-compression.3768/

My results:

1: 130 psi
2: 110 psi
3: 130 psi
4: 130 psi

So I don't think that I have any valve damage :woot: but the timing could be slightly out. I'm recharging the battery so I can double check the results.

IDI I take it yours started first time after you changed the chain?

Yeah pretty much first time but that dont matter by the time i read this and you read my reply you seem to be up and running good stuff(y)

focusrite

O.k. engine quiet and smooth so far and then the other 2 busses turned up. An eml light and a brake light failure :ROFLMAO:

I'm wondering if I should swap out the fuel pressure regulator?

evocarlos

do you have op-com ?
now its running it would be good to see what occuring 🙂

focusrite

Literally just ordered op-com Carlos (y)

focusrite

A big thank you to all contributors and staff 😉

I've learned a hell of a lot about this engine from this site and vvoc in a very short period of time. To tell you the truth if I'd known in advance about the 2.2 timing chain I wouldn't have bought the car in the first place :ROFLMAO:

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