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Thread: low compression?

  1. #1
    LX User russ_512's Avatar
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    low compression?

    some of yall may remember me
    first of all i wanna say this is the best forum ever and i really miss my 3gee
    i want one as dd

    anyway i came hear to ask a ? about my ls motor i got my my ef
    i joined an ef forum but i posted 3 things and noone wants to help me cause this is my first swap

    i have an ls and its not in the car yet, i have it ready to drop in, i put the tranny on gave it ARP head studds and a head gasket, and put on all the other things it needs to run. i turn the crank pulley bolt over to turn the motor and it turns really easy, i was wonderin if this means take the motor back where i got it and get another or is there hope, any ideas

    a friend said put some marvel mystery oil in the spark plug holes and let it sit for about two days and then turn the motor so it gets down in it then do it again and maybe it will help seal up the seals.
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  2. #2
    LX User russ_512's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    ...
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  3. #3
    LX User russ_512's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    ?
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  4. #4


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    Re: low compression?

    Need to do a compression test of the motor. Using a compression tester and spining the motor over by hand will tell you some how the well the motor is.

    I would make sure the timing belt is on correctly also.


    wp
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  5. #5
    LX User russ_512's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    do you have to take it to a machine shop to compression test it?
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  6. #6

    Dr_Snooz's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    You do have the spark plugs in, right?
    Dr_Snooz

    "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis


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  7. #7
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    you must have had the head off, is the valve timing right? if it's not you may have valves open on compression.

  8. #8
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    are you sure you didn't install the head with the crank pulley 180 degrees out?

  9. #9
    3Geez Veteran Civic Accord Honda's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    no you can compression test it in your driveway, u can rent the tool from autozozne $25 deposit.(you will have to contect a battery to the starter to turn it over)
    also check out
    4th-gen-civic.com my favorite ED site,

    another good forum is d-series but i would recommend swapping back to a D engine if u go there ( i recommend it for many other reasons to that i wont speak of in here )

    1988 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe 123k miles.

  10. #10
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    Quote Originally Posted by Civic Accord Honda View Post
    no you can compression test it in your driveway, u can rent the tool from autozozne $25 deposit.(you will have to contect a battery to the starter to turn it over)
    also check out
    4th-gen-civic.com my favorite ED site,

    another good forum is d-series but i would recommend swapping back to a D engine if u go there ( i recommend it for many other reasons to that i wont speak of in here )
    if he had the head off, he needs to double check valve timing first, if it's wrong the compression gauge will show no compression anyway. if the valve timing is even a little late, all the compression will escape because the valve closes late.

  11. #11
    LX User stephensimmons's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    Quote Originally Posted by russ_512 View Post
    do you have to take it to a machine shop to compression test it?
    What part of south carolina are you from?

  12. #12

    2oodoor's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    he was in east columbia a few months ago..
    integra motor, on ground waiting to go in civic.. replaced head gasket, installed studs in the block, and popped tranny in it and then and then.... here we are the engine turns over very easy? I am at a loss as well, I dont think the warrenty is any good now.

  13. #13
    LX User stephensimmons's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    Quote Originally Posted by roodoo2 View Post
    he was in east columbia a few months ago..
    integra motor, on ground waiting to go in civic.. replaced head gasket, installed studs in the block, and popped tranny in it and then and then.... here we are the engine turns over very easy? I am at a loss as well, I dont think the warrenty is any good now.
    Well depends on where he is i mite had took a look at it for him. How are you at a loss if you dont mind me asking?

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    2oodoor's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    Quote Originally Posted by stephensimmons View Post
    Well depends on where he is i mite had took a look at it for him. How are you at a loss if you dont mind me asking?
    what the OP is asking makes no sense to me?
    If he had the head off and installed studs don't you think he would have a clue they would not honor the motor warrenty?
    If it needs a bottom end rebuild that is one thing, true a reason for low comp.. but if the head were not prepped correctly and valve timing off that is another thing.
    correct me if I am wrong but isn't an ls a dohc v-tec? would need electronics changed unless it was a D16 civic then would need modifications even there. Long way to go yet...
    Why would marvel oil do any good if it his cause for concern is it turns too freely? Sure it would free up a stuck ring maybe or clean up some rust there, but I think he needs a lot more reference here than his question answer.
    catching breath.. lol

  15. #15
    LX User stephensimmons's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    Quote Originally Posted by roodoo2 View Post
    what the OP is asking makes no sense to me?
    If he had the head off and installed studs don't you think he would have a clue they would not honor the motor warrenty?
    If it needs a bottom end rebuild that is one thing, true a reason for low comp.. but if the head were not prepped correctly and valve timing off that is another thing.
    correct me if I am wrong but isn't an ls a dohc v-tec? would need electronics changed unless it was a D16 civic then would need modifications even there. Long way to go yet...
    Why would marvel oil do any good if it his cause for concern is it turns too freely? Sure it would free up a stuck ring maybe or clean up some rust there, but I think he needs a lot more reference here than his question answer.
    catching breath.. lol
    lol! Thats why i asked where he was

  16. #16
    LX User russ_512's Avatar
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    Re: low compression?

    i think it might be the valves, my buddy that does alot of h swaps is gonna adjust the valves for me

    im in west columbia bout 5 mins from the airport

    and stephon if i dont get it fixed here soon ill see if you can look at it

    and i will deff check out that site
    [

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