We have a 1983 1800 wagon which has done about 250,000 kms. Car starts reliably and drives ok *but* it is using a lot of water. Filled it up last week and it has used 2-3 litres in 5 days! I have spent hours searching for leaks (including using flouro dye) and cant find any....so I am wondering whether the problem is in the cylinder head(s) but when I do a compression test I get:
150,155,145,150 psi for the 4 cylinders.
Question: Is it possible to have a cylinder head leak that would use lots of water *without* having a noticable drop in compression? (when I have had head gaskets go in the past the car wont start and/or the compression drop is big).
Anyone seen this before? Needless to say I have checked the water pump (replaced 2 years ago) and it looks fine too.
If its the cylinder head how can I tell which one if the compression is good? Or do I just have to replace both anyway :(
Suggestions welcome. Al Blake, Australia