SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: 79charger on August 15, 2009, 06:08:49 AM

Title: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: 79charger on August 15, 2009, 06:08:49 AM
I did a compression test on my bbf  and all the cylinders except one came back at 139 -142 psi .The one came back at 119 . I dropped a teaspoon of oil down the cylinder and it rechecked and it came back 150 . There motor isnt  smoking and it runs good . Do you gys think it will get me through the season ? The motor was built by harman marine , would that be a good place to have her freshened up ? Thanks
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: electrowoman on August 15, 2009, 07:38:34 AM
What does the plug look like?  If the engine doesn't show signs of distress I'd run it the rest of the summer. 
IMO
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: crewchief22 on August 15, 2009, 11:08:13 AM
Run some Marvel Mystery Oil in the oil and run it.  Recheck the compression after the next trip.
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: 79charger on August 15, 2009, 01:02:18 PM
the plugs are perfect chocolate brown , but now i have a knock in the top end , at idle .So looks like i might have to pull it anyway.
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: Nordie on August 15, 2009, 01:12:16 PM
Is the knock on the same side as the low cylinder? Maybe time for a valve job new seals n what not...I would pull the valve cover and have a look see
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: Luckie Stiff on August 15, 2009, 01:20:28 PM
Run some Marvel Mystery Oil in the oil and run it

The magic elixir for old V-8's  :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: electrowoman on August 15, 2009, 02:39:25 PM
If it knocks I take it apart..... no questions asked.
Good luck which ever way you go.
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: Brad @ SCJB on August 15, 2009, 03:15:04 PM
If it knocks I take it apart..... no questions asked.
Good luck which ever way you go.

if you need ANY machine work, i highly suggest Dave @ A&D (aka enginedoctor) :thumbup:
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: 79charger on August 15, 2009, 08:48:06 PM
Just out of curiosity I advace my time from 6 degrees btdc to what harman marine recommended 10 degrees btdc last week . I run premium fuel , but i have heard the more you advance the time the more cylinder pressure you create , and i am wondering if thats where the knock i hear is coming from? Is that possible or am i just taking shots in the dark
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: SLCKREG on August 15, 2009, 09:30:48 PM
I did a compression test on my bbf  and all the cylinders except one came back at 139 -142 psi .The one came back at 119 . I dropped a teaspoon of oil down the cylinder and it rechecked and it came back 150 . There motor isnt  smoking and it runs good . Do you gys think it will get me through the season ? The motor was built by harman marine , would that be a good place to have her freshened up ? Thanks
Your compression sounds fine, if it's consistent. I wouldn't stress about that.
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: crewchief22 on August 16, 2009, 08:55:14 AM
Have you ever set the timing on this engine before?

Maybe the timing was set so low because the balancer is slipping and is way advanced when set at spec.

Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: 79charger on August 16, 2009, 08:18:04 PM
No  , i put in a new distributor so thats the only reason i checked the timing . It sure ran good when i set it to 10degrees but i backed off to 6 for now untill i see a engine builder .
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: 76NORDIC on August 16, 2009, 09:17:15 PM
No  , i put in a new distributor so thats the only reason i checked the timing . It sure ran good when i set it to 10degrees but i backed off to 6 for now untill i see a engine builder .
   Give Dave a call   (714) 879-9671  He will help ya :thumbup:
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: LakesOnly on August 17, 2009, 08:55:06 AM
I did a compression test on my bbf  and all the cylinders except one came back at 139 -142 psi .The one came back at 119 . I dropped a teaspoon of oil down the cylinder and it rechecked and it came back 150 . There motor isnt  smoking and it runs good . Do you gys think it will get me through the season ? The motor was built by harman marine , would that be a good place to have her freshened up ? Thanks
Your range of cylinder pressure (119-142 psi) is considered acceptable by most standards, even if only 1 cylinder is on the low side and the other 7 are within 3 psi on the high side.

I would get that "knock" professionaly diagnosed before taking your engine apart mid-season. It could be just a loose rocker arm....or a con rod, or anything in between. In other words, could be fixable without an engine overhaul.  If you find that you need an engine we could build you up a longblock lickety-split, pickup in San Fernando valley.

LO
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: 79charger on August 18, 2009, 07:36:17 AM
Well i took it to the engine builder up here in the high desert the only one ....lol . The owners wife i assume wanted me to leave it there and fill out a service form lmao just to hear my motor . She wanted money ....so I told her hey Lady If  i leave now and my motor does need work I promise you I wont be bringing it back to you . Her Husband overheard and came out and gave her a nasty look and came out and heard my boat . He said it didnt sound bad , and to try running a heavier oil . I was running 10/30 . So i put In 20 /50 and some marvels oil lastnight and it sounded quieter. Funny my motor only takes 5 quarts of oil ??? Must be the stock pan . Thanks for your help everyone . I guess I will run it until stops .
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: Nordie on August 18, 2009, 07:06:31 PM
unless its a small block i would be suprised...did you check it after you ran it...about another quart is in the oil filter!
Title: Re: Compression a little low , should i yank the motor??
Post by: 79charger on August 19, 2009, 09:11:58 AM
yes i checked it I actually overfilled it a little . Maybe all the oil didnt drain out initially . I let it drain for 2 hours ???? Unless the dipstick is wrong it shows on the full side and oil pressure is good.
SMFPacks CMS 1.0.3 © 2026