Engine rebuild is a disaster or is it?

[project25]

Hi, Ive been trying to get my 1.9 dg with auto box to run right , and had some useful help on here, but I have come across another prob that could be fatal.
I decided to give it a compession test today, (as you do on a sunny Sunday morning). and my rebuilt engine has terrible readings. 1 cylinder is 130 psi, 1 is 100psi, 1 is 80psi an the last one is ..... 0 !
I know the rebuild was not to the same standards as what I have viewed on here, (was done on a small as pos budget) but it got new rings, big end shells, main bearing, etc. Also done in my back garden and not in a lovely smart garage.
Could my problem be something as simple as valves too tight?
I cant stop now because once I got the engine going (not perfect), I carried on with replacement brakes, lowered springs and shocks, nice set of shiny alloys, various ball joints and swivels all to get it to an MOT. Something it has not had for 7 years. (That is why I have not been able to get any sort of garage help).
Do I just go get a recon?
Help me OB1 your my only hope? (Thats probably a bit old now)

[kit]

Get a second hand lump and drop that in, got to be cheaper in the long run?

[camper]

Did you bust the glaze in the cylinder bores by scuffing or honing.From experiance new rings need this to get a good seal.

[project25]

Hi, The bores looked good and not polished so I didnt touch them. I aint no mechanic, but looked good to my eye.

[mm289]

No wonder the auto isn't working right

If you have rebuilt the engine to the degree of splitting the case and replacing shells, shells bearings and rings then you must be reasonably tech savvy or very brave

so, asking the obvious question, given the comp readings, first check I would do is to pull the rocker covers, have someone turn over the engine and make sure all the rocker arms/valves are operating? Also check that the rocker arm adjusters sit at roughly the same height when that cylinder is at TDC.

To have 0 compression you must have a valve wide open or you forgot to put rings in that piston

TBH mate, I think you would do better to do a longer post telling us exactly what you have done and what the problems are. This and the post on the auto tranny issue are a bit vague and make helping you a bit like playing darts with a blindfold on

MM

[Oldiebut goodie]

[mm289]

so cool,

MM

[kevtherev]

Not enough information.... Unless you want guesses.

Lol oldie

[project25]

Hi, I will go back to when I bought this "project".
I bought this as a non runner that had been in someones garden for 7 years.
The engine was siezed, so were the brakes, (almost) the interior is falling to pieces . It is a (was a) Autohomes high roof conversion.
If I knew how to put photos on here you could all have a laugh. It is supposed to be white, but was covered in green mould. when washed off most of the paint seemed to be missing, ie you can see the primer.
Im sure you have all seen this before.
Paid £475 for it (free delivery) on the back of a low loader. Should of seen the neighbours faces.
Anyway, what followed was a rapid steep learning curve of the wonders of a watercooled dg1900. I reconised the flat four layout from beetle and type 2 Aircooled days. But all this external plumbing is a nightmare.
I realise now that I have compression problems that my carb and auto box probs are all connected to this.
Hind sight is a wonderful thing and I wish I had checked the valves instead of just putting the heads back unchecked.
If not the valves I must of left one of the pistons off.(how do you get these "smilies" on ?)

[mm289]

How deep into the engine did you go for the rebuild/what did you do and what replacement parts did you use?

First thing is to check your valve gear as above, if you feel really keen get/do a leak down test as opposed to straight compression test, but do the valve gear check and report back either way.

Pics need to be hosted externally on something like photobucket - which is what I use - easy and free. Just copy the url next to "IMG code" and paste into here and your done.

Smilies are the nice yellow things under the title "smilies" over there ------->>>>>>




MM

[kevtherev]

Not a novel. . Technical facts

£475 For a dog kennel..
Are you a masochist or summat?
Aint nowt as queer as folk