I've been told the compressions gone, help!!!! :-(

[peterdc]

I've just bought an alfa spider, 1987, and have been told that 3 of the compressions are way below par!!!

Is this going to be expensive to fix?

Can anyone recommend an Alfa Specialist in the Surrey area?

thanks


>>> Edited by peterdc on Thursday 27th May 00:29

[Mikey G]

Usual suspects :-
1. head gasket(s) unlikely for 3 cylinders
2. General wear but would show the 4th to be a little low but not as bad as other 3
3. Belt has gone at some point and somebody has replaced the belt without properly checking for bent valves!

Is this a Boxer motor?

[peterdc]

Mikey thanks for the reply!!!

As you are probably aware Im new to all this so please bear with me, :-)

Whats a boxer motor?

Should I take it to a Alfa Specialist?

cheers

[Mikey G]

Boxer motor is the flat 4 (2 on the left and 2 on the right, opposetly apposed)
Most good reputable garages should be able to do the work but maybe there is an Alfa specialist near you who may be able to give a better opinion on looking at the motor. whatever happens looks like a rebuild of somesort anyway

[wombat rick]

It's not a boxer in the spider.
It's an in-line four cylinder twin cam.

I would contact Gran Turismo Engineering in Kew 020 8332 7633 or Classic Alfa in Dulwich 020 8693 0707. Both are very experienced in dealing with these cars.

Good luck!

[Mon Ami Mate]

I have detailed knowledge of these engines and they are pretty bulletproof (from two Alfetta GTVs and two Spiders). I would suspect that your problem will be nothing more serious than worn piston rings. How many miles has the car done and what sort of service history does it have? Is it the original engine? Does it smoke?

[peterdc]

Hi Mon Ami Mate

Thanks for the help (and reassurance)

The car has done 120K km

The service history, complete, is done through alfa specialists with a major overhall done 15/03/2004. The cylinder head was cleaned and checked for distortion. The head was also fitted with new gaskets and seals in 1997

Is it the original engine? Not too sure
Does it smoke? No

Does this sound good?

regards
Peter

[Mon Ami Mate]

I'd be taking it back to the place that did the rebuild and asking them for an explanation...

[wombat rick]

Has it had much use since the rebuild? Could it be that the valves just haven't bedded back in yet?

If a little oil is added down the plug holes during a test and the compression comes back up, it is the piston rings or bores. If the compression doesn't change it is the valves or guides. Did the garage who tested the compression give you any ideas or clues as to what they thought was the cause?

[peterdc]

Its done 30K km in 7 years since the rebuild

I found out the information regarding the gasket head etc from an invoice that came with the car!!

It wasn't a garage that raised this problem, it was the guy servicing my wife's car, I asked him to have a look at it and see if he could see anything that may need doing to it!!

[lanciachris]

Sounds like the guy is full of it. Do a compression check yourself, its easy.

[RobDickinson]

www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=16856&ts=53304