Offroad-Express

Hi,

I recently brought a SJ413 hard top that had a bit of a tired motor. I've done a compression test on the motor and from front to back:

No.1: 105psi
No.2: 210psi
No.3: 210psi
No.4: 210psi

When i did the compression test I did all cylinders twice and the motor was at operating temperature when I did the test. On cylinder 1 I thought it might be sticky rings so i sprayed a heap of degreaser down the spark plug hole and let it sit for an hour then cranked it over to push the excess out so i didnt get a hydralulic lock. I did a comp test afterwards and no change.

The motor doesn't idle well but will run when held around 1200rpm and will rev freely to redline. It also seems like it runs nicer the higher the revs are held. It doesn't blow any smoke out the exhaust although it does blow smoke out of the crank case breather. I also pulled the rocker cover off to see if I had cracked a valve spring but they all looked ok. Coolant in radiator seems good and there is no water in the oil and doesnt really seem to be burning oil in the short time I had the engine running.

Are there any other tests I can do without having to dismantle the engine. Do these symptoms sound like a burnt valve or something similar? Did putting the degreaser down there and then testing give me a true wet test for rings or should I do it again with some oil?

Thanks,

Paul

To be honest dont waste the money fixing it unless ikt is a really cheap fix. Sounds like the rings to me. Save your money and buy a vitara 8 valve engine, swap your carb etc onto it. Get hold of Ben Towse (sp?) (sells them on trade me, dont know his TM name) and get a engine swap kit from him ($200 ish) and you'll be laughing (should be doable for less than a grand). If you want more then find an 8v TBI engine (and pump, loom, ecu etc) and get more power and less flooding on angles.

Of course then you sell the block and head off and make back some of your cash.

Ask some of the guys about suzuki engine swaps.

You could pull the head off and try regrinding the valves on number one cylinder, i had a motor that had only done 70000ks that had the same problem - went mint afterwards.
Cheaper than a engine swap too.

Cheers

I have considered the swap but dont I need to move engine mounts fit a body lift and fit an external fuel pump to fit the vit engine? I'm really only using the vehicle for the next 6 months so I was hoping I could get out of fixing the motor cheaply.

Is ben's name Mudbits? I've emailed him through his website about parts a couple of weeks ago and had no reply

I was thinking that too madaz that it could just be a valve or valve seat that has junked itself.

tooheys wrote:I have considered the swap but dont I need to move engine mounts fit a body lift and fit an external fuel pump to fit the vit engine? I'm really only using the vehicle for the next 6 months so I was hoping I could get out of fixing the motor cheaply.

Is ben's name Mudbits? I've emailed him through his website about parts a couple of weeks ago and had no reply

I was thinking that too madaz that it could just be a valve or valve seat that has junked itself.

If you use your manifolds onto the 8v head then it becomes a 1600 carb model just use the std pump. The new engine mounts are part of the 'Bolt on kit". just get a "hump" for the bonnet (I think it is the 16v efi's that require a body lift) if required.

Maybe like you say just get a quote on the work, if it's cheap then go for it

Well did another compression test and did a proper wet test and turns out the rings are stuffed in that cylinder. On the up side I brought another motor off trade-me for $150 so going to put that in and fingers crossed its good