I tested the compression on my one.six Tipo the other day:

Cylinder 1: 9.2psi
Cylinder 2: 9.2psi
Cylinder 3: 9.15psi
Cylinder 4: 9.2psi

The 3rd Cylinder may need rings replacing, but there is also a possibility that the compression tester was not connected properly.

If my 3rd cylinder had dropped by 0.05 compression would it really make a difference to engine performance and Fuel economy?

I've had my Tipo coming up to 4 years now, got it as my first car when I was 19 and I fell in love but you know just like a real girl friend, things happen, like the sex stops being good? Tipo One.Six really don't feel as rapid as it used to be. Some are saying.. "oh its just getting old" (It is a 1992 motor) but when people get old you can see it, like wrinkly skin and yellow teeth skin can be moiturised and teeth can be whitend. When a car gets old whatever component it is that is "old" can be replaced with a new or nearly new one, this should make everything go back to normal right? or is there something I don't know about makes cars that makes them different from other machines?

Tell you what I have had done to try and make it go back to normal:

Carburettor tuned countless times
Gearbox rebuilt @ £500 and it didn't make the slightest bit of difference
Clutch Replaced
Timing on the belt done
Engine Diagnostics
Replaced Carb Seals
Had Carb properly Cleaned
Engine compression tested

Everything seems to be in working order, no funny coloured smoke from the exhaust, no abnormal engine sounds and I'm running out of ideas, I was thinking to replace all the hoses in the engine bay next to make sure none of them are leaking anything, when I turn on the heater fan there is sometimes a very strong smell of petrol, what could be causing this?

Sorry for the longness but throw some possibilities at me please, your input is greatly appreciated

not really a big difference there.was that a dry test?

custard boy said:

not really a big difference there.was that a dry test?

Click to expand...

Well I don't know what a dry test is but this is how I did it.

1) Ran the engine until warm natrually (Made a few journies)

2) Parked up Disconnected the Coil Lead and all HT Leads

3) Removed one spark then plugged in tester and turned the engine over for 5 - 10 seconds using the ignition key.

4) Repeated step 3 on the other sparks sockets

Was that dry or wet? and whats the difference?

well IIRC you can put a little oil down the cylinder and rin the test again.
if this 'fixes' the comression reading then it indicates wear.
http://www.dsmgrrrl.com/FAQs/compression.htm

scroll down

Ok I presume that is a wet test because it involves liquid, I'll give it a go later thanks for that.

9.2 is the correct read out for my Tipo so I'm presuming id only have to try this on the cylinder with the odd reading?

yeah just that one.

i dont think you readings are in PSI, I imagine you mean bar, 9psi wouldnt start a lawnmower.

Rich