May 2015
Help needed in diagnosing please
Vauxhall Astra 2007 reg, engine power loss, felt like going to stall at traffic lights and so took to a mechanic for diagnosing and fixing.
1st suspicion - head gasket
Compression test results as follows:
Cyl 1 - 30PSI
Cyl 2,3,4 all between 170-180psi
Work reported to me went as follows:
Head stripped and sent to machine shop
Head "all done and returned to mechanic"
Valves reseated
Mechanic suspects valves were the cause, causing pitting causing no seal.
Allegedly a miscommunication with engineering guys - they didn't complete the valve lapping.
Piston rings appear to be ok, wet & dry readings result in no change - mechanic contacts engineering company to follow up on what occurred with head work. Mechanic orders 4 new hydraulic lifters.
No signs of cracked head, head was pressure checked and passed
New lifters fitted - no change. Mechanic explains there little more he can do besides remove the head again and recheck it.
Mechanic explains - "at the moment I'd have to remove the head again to see if I can find anything. There is no scoring on the bore. Wet compression test proved the piston rings are good. The valves are seated. The only thing I can think of is a hair line crack on the head that has been missed. As far as cost goes, there's the cost of the head gasket, head bolts and new oil" (plus labour, mechanic is currently asking for just shy of £500 for work up to this point, albeit undiagnosed and not fixed).
Mechanic goes on to explain:
Head has been skimmed
Head gasket replaced
A crack on the head may have been missed by machine shop and mechanic
There's little else that can be causing loss of compression
Mechanic currently believes that he needs to recheck the head as he's exhausted other possibilities including some checks on the valves, and spark plug threads.
What's missing? What hasn't been checked? What other info is required for an accurate diagnosis?
Thanks in advance
John Read more
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