Thread: Batty - Compression Test & Smoke

Hello All,

Batty my Series III ex-military Fitted For Radio is blowing grey smoke. According to some basic research this could indicate either burnt valves or worn piston/rings.

The engine is a 2.6 litre six cylinder Land Rover motor. They are linked to have valve problems - burning.

Has anyone bought a compression tester for under $100 if so what brand did you buy and did it have the adaptor for the size of the 2.6 litre spark plug? Where did you get if from?

What pressures are acceptable for the 2.6 litre...
Low = unacceptable to
High = something to be very happy with

Is my memory correct about the following symptom? That a set of dry compression readings when compared with a set of different readings after a couple of squirts of oil down the spark plug into the cylinder indicates that the piston/rings are the issue?

If it is the head/valve issue for the 2.6 motor what sort of figure would be reasonable for a professional rebuild?

What sort valve seats should I ask for - something to do with being able to take unleaded fuel and high temperatures?

I am trying to narrow down which of two vehicles to try and get on the road first.

Kind Regards
Lionel

Can't help with the compression readings or compression tester but....
my FFR had poor compression & smoked, turned out the motor was 'dusted'. The previous owner didn't understand that the air filter had to have oil in it and used the vehicle off road. The rings were very badly worn.
FFR Refurb

6-cylinder parts are getting harder to get but at least there are only the inlet valves in the head (exhaust are in the block).
The head is fairy simple to work on, you probably need to replace the valve guide seals (someone on here was modifying the guides to take the later 4-cylinder seals). I fitted new rings (expensive & difficult to source in the size I wanted), replaced the standard guide seals and reground the valves. No smoking now.

4 Wheel Drives used to keep the valves, exhaust valves can tend to burn out inlets are less problematic.

If you take the head off I'm told the composite head gasket is best. A mate runs a Rover 3litre (basically the same motor) and he uses the shim type gasket without issues so who knows......


Colin