MOVED: S13 SR20 Blacktop help

[05civse]

I just got a S13 blacktop SR20 and on the valve cover is written "good" from its initial test. Now my problem is I have very minimal compression on cylinder number 4 and about 95% leak down through the exhaust. The spark plugs are all very nice looking (a good brown) and all the same. The engine has 80K kilometers and the three other cylinders have about 7-9% leak down and good compression. My question is, if I believe the testing done by those who wrote "good" (which is possible because the spark plugs are all NGK R's and all are showing proper combustion) what could go wrong during shipping? Do the lifters tend to get stuck in an over filled position if the engine is over-revved (therefore holding open the exhaust valve)? I am going to check the clearance between the cam and the rocker arm to see if there is a gap between them when the valve should be closed. I assume if it is touching then the lifter may be somehow seized, if there is a gap than the valve may be burned (but why 95% leak down). Anyone ran into a problem like this before? What was the outcome?

[masticatingcow]

Moved to SR forum. Good luck, man!

[05civse]

Sorry about that. I’m not too experienced with this forum set-up

[karmakaze]

what numbers were you getting? try pouring a tablespoon of oil into the cylinder thats low and redo the compression test. let us know what it does.

[05civse]

I didn't hook a gauge up to it but they had good pressure and a low leak down %... except #4, hardly any compression.

[05civse]

Okay, I just got the head off and had a look. It looks like one exhaust valve in the #4 cylinder lost its seat (valve seat) and began leaking compression past it up into the valve guid which washed off all the oil being put on it. The constant lack of oil on the valve guid then began to cause alot of friction and wore the valve guide out... looks like my head is going to the machine shop... swap delay this engine better be worth the trouble.

Anyone know where I can get a good FSM or just a SM with tourque numbers?
Modified by 05civse at 12:15 AM 4/7/2006