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96 Seville STS low compression #1 cylinder
Sent to Car Experts June 20 03:17 PM

96 STS, 96,000 miles, garaged and not abused. Mom bought second hand and do not know about the previous owner. Mechanic ran a test and this is what he wrote. "Diagnosed low compression on #1 cylinder - performed cylinder leakdown test - 95% leakage; air load cylinder and observed leakage out exhaust and has sound of escaping air in the spark plug hole - minimal air sound heard at throttle blade and at oil fill cap. Suspect intake valve & rings are still intact & performing adequately at this time - recommend remove cylinder head for further evaluation/repair for engine maintenance." So... I was wondering what your take is? Really do not relish the idea of tearing into this engine. Am contemplating running engine flush to see if I can unstick valves and rings. I pulled the #1 spark plug and it was wet, black and looked like it had oil on it. Am also contemplating using K&W Head Gasket & Block Repair. Would you do this, and what else can I do before delivering this to an auto repair

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Answer
June 20 3:27 PM (9 minutes and 36 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
There unfortunately is no "mechanic in a can" that will help this failure. One or both of the exhaust valves has failed and will need to be replaced along with any repair that may be needed to the head. Your tech has done a good job up to this point and documented his findings well. He seems to be on the right track and correct about what will need to be done.

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Ted G. -- ASE Certified Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 1332 Car Accepts
20 years auto repair experience, ASE Master Tech, Mechanical Failure consultant, Expert Witness
Reply
June 20 3:32 PM (5 minutes and 39 seconds later)
         

This is a reply I received from another mechanic. What do you think

failed gaskets are a function of time, coolant not changed. the car most probably still has the original coolant.

nice car, engine problem .. tough situation .. based on the info you provided, either you have a failed gasket or failed headgasket bolts, either case requires the pulling of the heads or using a resin repair kit which are used quite successfully if done exactly by the directions but the life of the repair is up for grabs.
there are several on the shelfs of the retail part stores ..

a proper repair is expensive and time consuming ..
i'm not familiar with the K&N stuff you mentioned.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 20 3:37 PM (4 minutes and 22 seconds later)
         
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Ted G. -- ASE Certified Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 1332 Car Accepts
20 years auto repair experience, ASE Master Tech, Mechanical Failure consultant, Expert Witness
Reply
June 20 3:41 PM (4 minutes and 14 seconds later)
         

Thank you very much, I appreciate your input.

Hank

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 20 3:42 PM (1 minute and 21 seconds later)
         
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Ted G. -- ASE Certified Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 1332 Car Accepts
20 years auto repair experience, ASE Master Tech, Mechanical Failure consultant, Expert Witness
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