Here is the update to my last post about my 245 not wanting to start. I took it in to a pro; the verdict is that the timing belt was off two teeth, he also got not so good compression readings on #4 cylinder. Just to clear myself, the timing belt was done by previous owner but I did check it; guess I missed the two teeth although you all know how hard it is to see. Anyway, the car started after that but has excessive crankcase pressure and he suspects broken rings or defective pistons. In a nutshell, anyone need a 89 245 parts car. Do ya think the excessive pressure could be caused by all the fuel being dumped in there during the start attempts? Do you think it will get better if try to keep it running? Just a thought. Thanks for all the help from everyone and sorry for the long post.

Doug

Doug,

I would, as an ASE certified master mechanic, change the oil (if not already done, and it should have been) and drive it. See what happens. You do not indicate that you mechanic performed a "wet compression test" where you squirt a small amount of oil into the cylinder THEN do the compression test again and not any change. This will positively identfy piston/ring or valve/head problems.

I completely agree that #4 may well have bee very well "washed down" with gas. It may or may not come back to full performance with more driving. Also, what is "excessive" crankcase pressure? It is VERY common for an engine with used oil to emit a large amount of "vapor" from the valve cover oil fill when the engine is running, and if they opened th oil fill with the fuel contaminated oil in it, I can only imagine their "horror" at the amount of vapor he saw.

As long asthere are no "expensive noises", I'd just drive it.
--
JohnG 1989 245 MT @216,500

Just curious how bad the compression readings were. I assume 1-2-3 were pretty consistent. I wouldn't call it the end of the road yet.
Here's what I'd do.
Replace the flame trap and clean out it's vacuum hose and intake manifold ports. Using a hose, pour some solvent like kerosene through the breather box under the manifold (what the flame trap connects to.)
When you're done (maybe 1 qt of solvent?) drain the oil immediately.
Replace the filter, fill with 4 qts of oil + 1 pt STP motor treatment, plus 4 oz Marvel Mystery Oil. If you can, put a bit of Marvel into the #4 cylinder.
Drive 500-1000 miles.
Do the compression test again, and if it's good, do another oil change and enjoy. If the compression is still really low, plan on another engine or sell it ot your mechanic. Good running engines are for the most part cheap and widel available.
Good luck!
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 221K, 88 744GLE- 202K, 91 244 181K, 88 244GL 145K

110 on 1,2&3 and 70 on #4.

Thanks

Doug

Rob -

A friend in Maine heard noises that Converse has a shedfull of just that - reasonable engines, and they can't seem to give them away.

Viewed from Houston, your location looks next door to Converse. Ho HO

But - maybe worth a look?

Thus a thought.

Regards,

Bob

:>)

Well if you've flooded the engine sufficiently, you may very well have accomplished two things: diluted the oil with lots of gas and thus reduced the compression. Certainly a timing belt being off by a few teeth would also result in less compression.

Before you get all freaked out by the thought of your rings being bad, change the oil Actually you should do that anyways as gas in the oil is a nice combustable mixture. And then maybe pour some oil down the spark plug holes or something before you start it up. See if that helps your compression. Also, if he wasn't checking the compression on a warm engine....

But if you're still seeing lots of crankcase pressure, check the flame trap. If that's somewhat clean or recently replaced check the oil trap right below the flame trap. It's less prone to clogging up, but it can indeed clog up.. with similar results.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo
'84 245 Turbo

I think it'd be a good move to look into a good used engine as well. As much other work as you've done/probably done, it seems a shame to chunk it!

If you were close to the Ft. Worth area I have a short block you could have... It probably needs to be re-ringed as it was smoking a bit when parked. This was AFTER some kids "rebuilt" the engine and I bet they didn't install the rings properly, but I've never been curious enough to tear it down, yet. ;-) It was in an 85 245 that belonged to a frined of my bro-in-law.

Justin B.

What are the symptoms of excess crankcase pressure? Is the dipstick being ejected? Maybe you have a bad PCV valve...

Sorry to be a pessimist, but if a competent mech. sees a bad cylinder AND crankcase pressure, it's a long shot that it's anything but what he says - bad piston and/or rings. Isn't the car worth saving? Used engine from a salvage yd with a guarantee may get you on the road. Fixing the bad cylinder would leave me wondering about the other three - presumably they all experienced pretty much the same conditions that caused one to fail.
--
Bob (81-244GL B21F, 83-244DL B23F, 94-944 B230FD)