Compression Tester (1 Viewer)

[gregnash]

Wondering if anyone has a compression tester before I go and do the Loan-A-Tool from O'Reilly or Vatozone...

Had some issues with Bebe over the holiday and then again this weekend... Thinking I may have either low compression, slight head gasket leak or both.

 

[Krusty Krab]

What is Bebe doing Greg? If it is running ruff the first thing you would do is check the spark plug wires. Dark garage at night start the motor with the hood open and look for arcing. Just an idea.

 

[gregnash]

Well have tried to make it up to Hobart recently to go fishing, most recent being Monday with my nephew, and she just couldn't make it up the last steep section before you get to the parking lot (like mile 3.5). She never seemed to have an issue with it but when I did it this spring to go do some scouting she had a real hard time, but I did make it up after a handful of attempts. Then Monday she just wasn't having it. I have noticed that the few times I have headed to Tahoe with her she bogs a bit more than normal on the hills. Only thing that has changed in that time is the tires, moving from stock All-Seasons to 31 ST Maxx. While I know that there is a pretty decent weight increase with the tires it should not have been that much that she couldn't get up the hill.

Got a few things to check out but I am pretty sure that I have a small HG leak, smokes on start-up and for a short while after and can always hear air in the heater system when she starts up ESPECIALLY if she has been sitting for more than a day. No water in the oil or anything like that and she does burn a couple quarts every 4-5 months. More than anything just need the time to check stuff out and really haven't had any as of late.

Currently waiting on shocks and bushings to be delivered so I can update the suspension with the new springs I got from Craigslist in the spring but wasn't planning on spending any major money on the truck this year. Really hoping this is nothing major but if it needs to be fixed then it needs to be fixed. Also, after doing some recent welding in patch panels near the exhaust I found out just how rusted my exhaust is. Was moving the end of the pipe out of the way and busted most of it off at the muffler, so new exhaust will be needed soon.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Maybe the change in tire diameter is a factor?

 

[gregnash]

Yeah I am sure that it is, but to this extent I would not think so. Gas mileage has not changed more than maybe a gallon/mile so that is why I am concerned. Rotating mass was a decent increase but not overly super-duper.
Maybe have to throw it into 4Lo?

 

[rusty_tlc]

The diameter of the tire affects the gearing ratios. Ex 4th will be slightly higher.

 

[gregnash]

Yeah that makes sense to me but she seems to have a MUCH harder time than I anticipated. I did realize that there was going to be some bogging but just seemed like it was quite a bit more. Guys also brought up a good point that there could be a good amount of junk in the carb from the tank that I was still running through when I was camping on the 4th (buying gas up in Portola) or could be signs of fuel pump having issues (highly doubt it as I have not had any other issues or noticed any weeping).

Trying to do what I can to troubleshoot this now, but has been hell for a fishing year so not that much of a deal breaker getting up there. Driving to Tahoe this weekend she had a bit of a harder time pulling Spooner, ended up sitting in 3rd all the way up but what else is new. Did notice last week while driving to Reno for softball she had a harder time pulling the long hill to the bridge through Washoe.

One thing I did notice more than anything, she DOES NOT like low grade fuel. After camping until I had a good tank run through her she would diesel over on almost every shutdown. With mid-grade this DOES NOT happen.