Quote Originally Posted by L16 Pilot View Post
That's no doubt a bargaining point but as listed below it would be interesting to know where the leakage is going. It's not necessarily a compression test but rather the ability of the cylinder to 'hold air" at the top of the compression stoke. Going out the valves (though the intake or exhaust) that's one thing. Leaking into the crankcase is another and may be from the engine not being warmed up before the test is made. I've had engines that ran in the low 60's with the leakage test but would run 125 130 psi on a cranking test with the starter. Part of the problem is the engine is only in that position (TDC) for a micro second when the engine is actually running at speed. Plus the rings get a lot of their sealing pressure from high combustion pressure sealing the rings (especially the top) to the cylinder wall. Having said all this all cylinders running 60/80 "forever" might be a bit of concern and bears a more through look and you would also think there would be some indications of excessive 'blowby' out the breather tube i.e. oil on the belly. My .002 worth.
Hmmm, good point. There was some mention about not being satisfied with the performance of the breather catch bottle, so there's an indication it likely is rings / cylinders. If it truly is a quart in 5 hours it's not horrible (right?) or a safety issue... the price is right, so I'm hoping I could get it home and live with it for a year or two while scrounging parts for a top overhaul.