[Braymond141]

Originally Posted by salty

Squirt oil in the cylinder to isolate wether it is the valves or rings. (if the pressure goes up it is the rings) If it needs some rings, it might need a rebore as well. Bottom end refers to the crank and bearings, which is not related to compression issues. Good luck. I'd be going with a used engine if anything is terminal.

It's not uncommon to hear someone reference the short block as the bottom end. Even the pistons are directly attached to the leg work of the engine.

[Magic M3]

Originally Posted by graphite9

well, I just did the oil trick. I dumped an oil bottle cap into the problematic cyl. Think It might have been too much because it jumped to 275...EEK. Im gonna wait till my mechanic brings his leak down tester over. I did notice a tad bit of oily looking substance on the plug when I first pulled it before the tests. But, It could be all the unburned fuel the in the cylinder. Does anyone know where the best source for used motors is? Seems like they run about $3500 with 80-150k. If the head needs a valve job, I can have it machined, and all associated parts+labor for under $1,700. If its the bottom, I'll part out the engine and grab a good donor.

Sounds like a ring issue to me! If you end up needing or wanting to do head work, let me know before you do anything. I have a 50K S50 head fresh from the machine shop that I would be willing to negotiate on. Good luck either way.

Pete

[graphite9]

well, i think it was a bad reading...somehow. I tested another cyl and it was 180. On the shops test sheet, all of them were 170-180, besides cyl 2. Hopefully my mechanic can look at it soon. Its killing me having a clean m3 sitting in my garage that I haven't gotten to get comfy with!!! It's just wrong!

[graphite9]

Originally Posted by Magic M3

Sounds like a ring issue to me! If you end up needing or wanting to do head work, let me know before you do anything. I have a 50K S50 head fresh from the machine shop that I would be willing to negotiate on. Good luck either way.

Pete

Excuse me for my noobance. Can you put an s50 head on an s52? I was quoted $500 to do the headwork.