Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all,

My knowledge of engines is very limited, so again, I seek some proper advice please! My 1.9 watercooled engine had a bad crank oil seal leak and required the exhaust helicoiling. So, she went into the garage, had the engine out, seals replaced etc. When I picked her up she had a distinct loss of power and ran like a bag of *rubbish*. I had a friend look at the engine and he did a compression test which showed low comprssion in 3 of the cylinders and very low in one. I took her back to the garage. He also did a compression test and told me the same. He advised that the engine was worn and I should look for a new one. My problem is that before I took her to the garage the engine was like a rocket, and I'm gutted. Would the timing affect compression? I think the mechanic messed with the tappets and as the adjusting screws are worn it is very difficult to get the timing back to what it was. Before I shell out for a new engine should I get a new set of adjusting screws (which are quite pricey for a set), or does low compression mean my engine is shot regardless? Please help

Tappets dont need "adjusting".. as long as they have the hydraulic followers.. ask them what they "adjusted" too?? I would tell them to reset to 1/2 (half) turn in from just touching at each piston TDC.. if they have wound them in the supposed 2 turns then that WILL cause loss of compression etc...
Ignition timing, should be 5 Degree's BTDC, I tend to use 7.5 degress as both the 1.9 DG's I have run better at this.. thats with vacuum disconected..

If it was running well before it went in, then its whatever they have done thats made it run poor...

yep agree with Simon the reason your compression is down if they messed with the tappets is that the valves are not seating fully because the over adjusted tappets are causing the valves to stand proud of their seats thus letting blowby occur and reducing compression.
No ignition timing does not affect compression, and it would take a lot for valve timing to do so but I doubt that they have messed with that.
HTH
Richard