Noticed for the first time last night a very slight hissing sound, vapor, and coolant smell from the engine compartment. It appears to be between the 1 and 2 cylinders on the drivers side (22re). Compression is as follows (1-4): 180, 165, 180, 170. 70k since the PO rebuilt it.

The logical problem to me is a leaking head gasket, but my question is shouldn't the compression readings around cylinder 2 be much lower?? Any advice would be appreciated. Also, where do I purchase a new gasket set and while I'm at it a new timing chain? Thanks

buckgrunter

Headgasket failures can happen between cylinders resulting in low compression for both cylinders. They can bust and leak coolant into the combustion chamber, the can leak to the outside with no ill effects on the engines performance.


With that said for parts go to www.engnbldr.com for gasket set and timing chain kit. Superior quality parts and customer service...not to mention lowest price you'll find on top of the line parts.

Your numbers arent all that bad, the 160 would definately concern me though. How did the spark plug look for #2 compared to the rest? If it appeared cleaner than the rest then yeah..internal HG leak. But if plugs were all similar in color/condition then you might not be dealing with a HG leak. I cant recall ever smelling coolant in the engine bay when HG would go bad. You may have a simple external cooling system leak...lord knows the 22R-E has plenty of places for that happen. Do a leak down test if you have the resources to verify the problem before you go spending alot of time and $$$ on something that aint broke.

~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

if you can't do a leakdown test, try putting a little oil in the cylinder (via the spark plug hole) before doing the compression test. if that brings the reading up in line with the others, the low compression is most likely due to sticking or worn rings. (like darin said, though, that doesn't mean the headgasket isn't leaking to the outside.)

if the reading is unchanged, it could be the headgasket, but could also be a valve not seating properly.

i had the same thing and when i took off my intake manifold i noticed that the #2 cylinder looked like coolant had mixed w/ it. i still think i might have a bad hg though i will make a post later w/ pics.