Misfire, using oil, low compression on one cylinder

[Pozzy]

As title, my '94 400 has been slowly using oil over the last couple of months. Started it today and there is now a blueish tinge to the steam/smoke on startup plus a misfire, which improves slightly as the car warms up. The steam/smoke was clearing totally once up to temperature until today.

Just done a compression test, and all are 160psi or thereabouts except the cylinder closest to me (driver side at rear of engine) which is 120psi.

I'm guessing either HG or slipped liner - could it be anything else less catastrophic? Until today it seemed to be running fine, except the oil use as mentioned (approx. 1.5 litres over 3000 miles).

As it is my daily driver, am I going to wreck anything further by using it until I can get to a specialist? I guess V8 Developments are the place to go - does anybody recommend anywhere else (bearing in mind I'm in Northampton)?

[Pozzy]

I should add that it doesn't seem to have been using coolant and hasn't been overheating at all - plus all of the spark plugs were fouled with soot so it has been running very rich...don't know if that's related or another problem to add to the list!

[rev-erend]

Could also be a broken or stuck piston ring.

[big geoff]

get a cylinder leakage test done this will show up any weak spots if not serious get the misfire and mixture sorted change engine oil as a rich mixture will dilute the oil causing it to burn .

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

1.5 litres over 3000 miles doesn't seem excessive to me though.

[900T-R]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

1.5 litres over 3000 miles doesn't seem excessive to me though.

Indeed, that's well within acceptable limits for this engine, I'd say pretty good even.

[rev-erend]

900T-R said:

Indeed, that's well within acceptable limits for this engine, I'd say pretty good even.

Sure but it does not explain the cr test.

Leak down is the answer.

At least with the result you can plan your options.

Don't want to scap a block if you dont have too by leaving a small issue get chronic.

[Goaty Bill]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

1.5 litres over 3000 miles doesn't seem excessive to me though.

Agreeing with that too.
I bought mine right after it's first 6000 mile service and was told to expect something around .5L / 1000 mile oil 'usage'.
It was pretty much a constant over 14 years.

One cylinder down is probably worth a full compression test as rev-erend suggests.
Doesn't cost a fortune and is generally a fair indicator.

[Pozzy]

Thanks very much for the replies so far - I didn't know about the oil consumption being normal, so I guess that's one issue less! I'm going to try and get the car up to V8D ASAP with judicious use of my Autoaid membership and then see what happens.

I've had to recommission my sister's old 1.0 Micra in the meantime, which is certainly a shock to the system! Feels like I'm driving a bus!