Paulus

Thinking about buying a beautiful '98 SC300. Black on black w/65,000 miles. Original owner, and well cared for...I thought. Prior to pulling the trigger and buying the car, I had a local garage do an engine compression test. Compression readings were: 1=180, 2=180, 3=150, 4=150, 5=120, 6=130. Car looks and drives fantastic. I could not detect any oil burn or other signs of engine wear. Not sure what to make of last 2 readings and the huge difference between cylinders? Could it be a blown head casket? or bad rings or valves? Still want to get car, but I'm a bit concerned about the engine. Any ideas?

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

Definately isn't right somewhere. If there are no physical signs of problems, it's either seeping between the cylinders or you need to try it again just to make sure the guy that did it didn't get lazy when fitting the last two.

In a worst case scenerio, imagine the possibility the head gasket may have blown either between the cylinders or at the water jacket and they stuck some head sealant back in there to keep it together.

kietlander

i will be looking at a SC this sunday. what should the compression be?

codetoad

iTrader: (2)

Could be the compression gauge itself. Sometimes they don't read right. Get a different one and try it out.

SUPRMSC

iTrader: (7)

Someone probably wrong with the head bolts or headgasket