Compression issues on a Ford explorer 2000

[sanlucar]

Hello there:

I have been getting Missfires on cilynder 3 and getting rough idle, three weeks ago I took the spark plug on # 3 and it was soaked with gas, then I replaced the spark plug and it took care of the problem.

Well, the CEL came on again, this time I took the spark plug on # 3 to see if it was wet like before, this time it was dry, it seemed ok.

There is no rough idle and I cleared the code last night, so far no CEL.

Today I run a compression test on all cilynders and I got the following:

#3 130
#2 160
#1 160

#4 170
#5 170
#6 170

I assume cilynder # 2 is the one next to cilynder #3 and # 1 next to # 2 all on the same side. On the other side I assume cilynders 4, 5 and 6 are located.

Should I be concerned that the compression is low on # 3?, how do I fix this.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

What you need to do is put a small amount of oil into the cylinder and redo your compression check on that cylinder. If it bumps the pressure back up - your piston rings are worn out or your walls are worn out and the rings aren't sealing properly. If it doesn't do anything you need to do a leak down test which test the sealing properties of the values (makes sure the exhaust and intake valves are properly closed)

-Drew

ps - two things, this is great to have a thread with a lot of good information from what you've done so far (and your a newb so that's two brownie points), and the other thing is, I would of kept this in the tech corner, but your a new guy and it's reserved for qualified hobbist or techs. Great job though

EDIT: it's also good to get the code out of the computer - even though it's probably a P0303 code.

 

[sanlucar]

What you need to do is put a small amount of oil into the cylinder and redo your compression check on that cylinder. If it bumps the pressure back up - your piston rings are worn out or your walls are worn out and the rings aren't sealing properly. If it doesn't do anything you need to do a leak down test which test the sealing properties of the values (makes sure the exhaust and intake valves are properly closed)

-Drew

ps - two things, this is great to have a thread with a lot of good information from what you've done so far (and your a newb so that's two brownie points), and the other thing is, I would of kept this in the tech corner, but your a new guy and it's reserved for qualified hobbist or techs. Great job though

EDIT: it's also good to get the code out of the computer - even though it's probably a P0303 code.

Thanks for the prompt reply and I apologize for starting the thread on the wrong forum.

I will follow your advise, and yes the code was P0303.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I'll be watching this thread for a response. If you write and I haven't responded...PM me and I will respond accordingly. Hopefully we can figure it out!

-Drew

 

[ma96782]

As a chance "fix," try RESTORE.

You've seen it advertized on TV.....see if it works......post back your results.

Aloha, Mark

PS.........Real fix.....is to tear in there, rebuild engine and replace rings.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

don't try to repair something you haven't diagnosed yet. But those are great ideas once we find out what the problem is

-Drew