Hey I'm looking at buying an EVO X but I'm in AZ and this one is in Cali. I got everything set to buy but I wanted him to do a compression test and it's clear he doesn't know what he's doing but he put in an effort. All the readings are 95psi 100 95 100 which to me seems low. I still own a EVO 8 and now on a 2.3 stroker maybe I'm missing reading it. But people say it should be around 130-150. But I know if it's a cold motor that plays a factor. Does this seem right?

I'm finding it very hard to buy the car being out of state but he is working with me as best he can lol

 

Sounds like he did it with the car cold. Tell him to run the engine until it gets to operating temps. Repeat the process. If the readings are still under 130, ask him to put a cap full of oil in the cylinder, and try to read it again. If the reading goes up you can tell the piston rings are leaking. Make sure he has a good battery too.

 

Sounds like it needs a motor. I would find another one.

 

hey so I need help he warmed it up and still reading the same. He is using a harbor freight compression tester so I don't know if that's a factor. For all 4 cylinders to be low when all the car has ever had is cat back and intake seems odd and it's 88k miles.

 

I need help can some please help me asap

 

If he's barely getting 100 psi from compressions tests, my guess is a bad headgasket. I doubt the rings are shot after only 88k. If you really want, ask him to rent a coolant system pressure tester. Any local parts store can rent it to him. Have him test the cooling system and if it leaks, its probably from a bad head gasket. If not, he can do a leakdown test and see WHERE he is losing compression.

...or he's an idiot and doesn't know how to do a compression test.

 

My guess would be he prolly doesn't know how to do the compression test properly, if you really want the car then just pay a mechanic a 100 buxs to just do it and give you the results, piece of mind for a 100 buxs sounds good to me.

 

I have videos of rev and exhaust and no smoke and everything appears fine.

It idels fine. No smoke from exhaust I want to think this dude just doesn't know what he's doing.

 

Either don't buy the car, or tell the owner you want a mechanic to do a compression and leak down test. Low compression means you could have valve issues or ring issues.

 

^ This. Have him take it to someone that knows what they're doing.

How many compression cycles did he run for each cylinder?

 

Also, if you're willing to drop tens of thousands on a car, you should drop the couple hundred it takes to go see it in person.