Ran a compression test on my car because it had been running hot. Was told that it could be a head issue.
Cylinders 1, 2 and 4 had the same result: 185 psi.
Cylinder 3, however, was way out of whack. 162 psi. Squirted three shots of motor oil into the cylinder, ran the test again, and that brought it in line with the others -- 185 psi.
Haynes is telling me that this indicates worn rings. Worn rings doesn't sound good.
My question is is this 12 percent difference portend a major engine overhaul in my near future or is it more like a noisy muffler in that it isn't right, but it isn't the end of the world either? Right now the car isn't registered, just came out of a year long storage.
Don't know if this is related, but a clicking sound is coming from the valve cover. Click, click, click, click, click -- kind of like when you were a kid and you clothespinned playing cards to your spokes. I'm guessing that that is valves or lifters, maybe due to the car sitting. Changed the oil and added some Mystery Oil, but no change.