Bad Leak Down test on my '99

[JohnT]

I did a compression test today, in preparation for the blower install, and had the following readings from front to back:
175
160
170
175
I thought those were pretty good numbers , then I did a leak down test:
10%
50%
44%
12%
I opened the oil fill cap and that was where the air was going. It seems like the rings are bad. Does anyone know of a reason they would be that bad at 59,000mi.? I sucked 10-12 oz. of water through a vacuum hose thinking maybe they were carboned up, but the numbers didn't change much. Any ideas? Didn't really plan on pulling the engine.

John

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Did you do the checks hot or cold?

[JohnT]

It was done hot, I actually did it twice, the first time wasn't as hot as the second time. The numbers were 7-8 psi lower the second time. I used 80psi(thats what my compressor could handle) and calculated from there.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Your call. You could probably put the kit on and make near the same HP. You would probably see an increase in oil consumption. Things will not get 'better' :) but probably would take awhile to get worse.

You will need to do the rings now or later but probably wont cost more now or later.