Next Steps, disassembled

[CPSullivan]

A4 had low/no compression in all cylinders, oil looked clean, former owner claims it ran last season( 2022). We suspected head gasket/stuck valves based on symptoms. I took the head, carb, manifold, and alternator off. Valves seem to move nicely/unencumbered, gaskets looked okay but we are installing new ones regardless.

My question is what do I need to do now?Re-space all the valve springs? Pull the engine out of the engine bay and do a ring job? Is there any way to check if my repairs solved the problem prior to reassembly? Is there any maintenance I should do while I have the engine apart/best practices you would recommend?

We appreciate any feedback.

[Dave Neptune]

I strongly suggest you adjust the valves and while adjusting since you have the head off closely inspecting the "valve seats". Be sure the valves are all the way seated when adjusting. You can "tap" the valves down with a wooden dowel centered on the valve and a light hammer to be sure they are seated for proper clearance setting. The numbers on your other post indicate sticky valves not seating completely as the numbers are so low. To late to check the rings now.

You should of done both a dry compression test first and then a wet one second to determine the rings integrity. If the cylinders look good I would not worry about doing the rings unless you want to do the work. It takes very little sticking of the valves to "trash" the compression numbers.

Dave Neptune

[Al Schober]

In my experience, ring wear first affects the lower oil control rings. You'll notice the engine smoking (from the breather tube, the fill pipe, and the front end of the crankshaft) and oil fouling of the spark plugs.

[JustinAlenScott]

Oh man. That sounds just like my motor, Al. How much damage would I be doing? And can the ring job be done in place?