2 independent tests were about the same

150/170/170/175 from compression test
25%/2%/5%/1% from leak down

obviously cylinder 1 is the issue but is the problem on the block side or the head side?

neither heard much noise coming from the oil filler tube so i think rings are ok but it doesn't sound like either checked throttle body, other cylinders, exhaust...etc like this article recommended http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/com...esting.338152/.

thoughts?

what are the normal options?

 

The air has to be going somewhere.

What are your goals, keeping it from getting worse or 100% repair?

 

Keep from getting worse now but want to fix 100%.

 

Do a compression test on cylinder one, then do above test with a cap full of oil in that cylinder. If the compression goes up is your rings, if it stays the same its your head

 

 

If the test for rings is positive, start thinking knock in that cylinder.

 

went back to have the compression test done properly with a cap of oil, the problem went away so rings definitely the problem.

we tried to scope it to see if there was any damage, there wasn't.

recommendation, don't bother with the leak down test until the proper compression test is done (with and without oil). I'm a bit upset that both shops I took the car to took my money for the leakdown when the compression test would have told me where the problem was right off the bat.

so far the dealership I took my car to, the dealership I bought my car from, Mitsubishi district rep and mitsubishi's arbitration process has failed to help me get some $$$ for the repair. Car was only a few months out of warranty when the issue was reported and 15k miles under the 100k but they are sticking to it was "out of warranty" when the issue was reported despite the service rep at Mitsubishi saying that the problem was likely there for a long time as it was essentially undetectable. He also mentioned he's seen it with several other evos.