Low Compression, three cylinders

What do you mean by low? What are ALL the numbers?

 

Drop the compression test, go for the Leak-Down test. It will reveal all.

If the PPI-er can't do it, find someone who can.

 

Gary, remember that any issues with low compression will involve removing the engine and tearing it apart which will be expensive, so factor that into the price. Also, valve guides will need to be done if they haven't already as well as manifolds $$$. Good luck!

 

Yes, I would have them do an Italian tune-up before additional testing, so there's no doubt if it needs to be done. No need to jump to conclusions. The entire benefit of any doubt about that should be given. If the previous owner of the 355 was typical of many, the motor's never been over 3k rpm! (Now there's some words that'll be flamed!)

 

Whaaaaaat????

 

My 328 saw north of 7K this morning.
My 355 regularly sees 7K.
My M3 visits the redline often and has a close relationship with a cousin named "governor"

 

I'm no expert but I think your highest cylinders are borderline.

 

Depends on the tester of course but ALL of my cylinders hit 190-200

 

Leak down is the next step IMO.

 

Very true but either way the variation between them is a bad sign in itself.



Rob

 

All of them are low for a 355. If you've repeated the test and they're not even and a lot higher, it needs to come apart.

 

Leakdown time!
Investigate the history. If it's had header replacement somewhere down the line, I'd almost be willing to bet it's got a few bad liners..... but the leakdown will pin point it.....
And sometimes it will leak past the valves enough and you won't discover the bad liner until the head is removed.
Ask me how I know......

 

+1. Gary, I would pass on this car and move on. Not worth your time.

 

Gary, I'm sorry to hear you're having problems with this car already. We talked briefly in your other thread.

I believe you said this was the Siyam car, correct? Go have a wander over to Auto One and check out their 355. I know you said it had extensive repairs to it, but like I said earlier, if everything is all in line, then go for it. Have it checked out fully, and go from there. It's a beautiful example - I'll just be bummed because you'd beat me to it

One other thing -- Joseph from Prancing Horse is familiar with Auto One's 355 (I THINK). He's a good man, I've known him for a long time. Talk to him and see what's up with the car, if anything.

Good luck.

 

way to many "good" cars out there to play with this one...............

 

Serious problem. Very serious. This car needs to be fixed first.

 

Cmon! Somebody needs to buy it, pull the engine and ship it to the midwest!!!

 

I would try another compression tester just to be sure (especially if your going to test it again anyway). Could you be chasing a bad O-ring, crappy gauge or fitting on their tester? How does it feel when you drive it? I would think you could feel those numbers if you have driven another 355 to compare to? Does it smoke on cold startup, during high revs, or consume oil abnormaly etc.?

I second the leakdown check.

I'm new to Ferrari's so my opinion is just from the other zillion cars I have built and worked on, so take it with a grain of salt.

I should get my 355 next week if all goes well. The compression checks 1500 miles ago on this car were all over 200 psi except one I beleive. He was saying them over the phone while I was driving, so I did not write them down.

 

Tests taken at what altitude? In BC?

A drive and a warm engine will increase Overall numbers but wont fix dead holes.

 

+1

We jump to the conclusion that it's always the valves but if the car had a bad header and drove it that way for a long time I'd be willing to bet that the cylinder liners are shot. That's a lot more extensive of a repair than simply pulling the heads.

 

I have 47,000 miles on my '95 and a recent compression test showed all cylinders above 200. She runs like a banshee. Keep looking.

 

Like others have said, do a leak down test which is the same procedure as far as labor is concerned as a compression test.

This will show where the air is going either the crank case, cooling system, exhaust, or intake manifold.

Intake manifold or exhaust could be valve problems (cracked/burned/seat problems) or cracked head.

Cooling system could be head gasket, liners, or cracked head.

Crank case could be pistons/rings, head gasket, or cracked head.

Do it both dry and wet (wet usually involves putting a small amount of ATF in the cylinders turning the engine over and then retesting). This will sometimes show the rings as being the issue among other things.

 

IIRC, the compression specs on the 355 is over 150 psi and all the cylinders within 10%. Not even close.

Expensive problems lurk within...

RUN! RUN! RUN!