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1999 Acura TL Compression
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kenscar
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Aug 1, 2009, 10:35 AM
Post #1 of 7
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1999 Acura TL Compression
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I have a 1999 Acura 3.2 TL with 130,000 miles that I have kept meticulous care of and now want to sell it. I was showing it to a perspective buyer when the radiator hose came off during our test drive. 
Yeah, during the test drive!!! Has this not happened, it would have been sold and gone. Anyway, it was the temp gage that gave the warning...no idiot light came on. I cannot be certain exactly how long it was running since the hose became disconnected, perhaps a mile or two, but it was not until we were pulling over that the engine started to knock. I reconnected the hose, got it filled with water, and it ran fine as I drove back to the house. I had the cooling system flushed and refilled with coolant the next day. The cooling system tested good with no leaks. The buyer was still interested but wanted to have their (dealer) mechanic inspect the car. Their mechanic ran a hydrocarbon test on the cooling system. This came back positive and they said it has a blown head gasket. There is no water in the oil, the coolant level remains full, and there is no loss of power. I ran a compression test this morning and got 230, 210, 230, 205, 225, & 230. While this appears consistent I am not sure what spec is for compression.
I still want to sell the vehicle but do not want to screw anybody. I can have the head gaskets replaced and recoup my money in the sale but I do not want to expend any more effort than is really necessary...and I am leary of dealers; they tend to be go overboard with repairs to maintain their integrity.
So the first question i have is: What is spec for compression on a 1999 Acura 3.2 TL?
The big question: Is it necessary to have the head gaskets replaced? Also, what is the risk of not replacing them? How long can it run like this?
Thanks for your help
~Ken
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 1, 2009, 1:36 PM
Post #2 of 7
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Re: 1999 Acura TL Compression
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A compression test isn't what you need here. Have an independent shop check it out for you. They can pressure test the cooling system or they can use an exhaust analyzer to sniff for hydrocarbons in the radiator.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Sidom
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Aug 1, 2009, 1:57 PM
Post #3 of 7
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Re: 1999 Acura TL Compression
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Well 1st off Ken I would like to commend you on the way you are going about this..... Most people wouldn't give it a second thought & just move on to the next unsuspecting buyer.... You're a decent person....
I don't have a maxium spec but minimun is 135 lbs with a 28lb max variation. Those readings actually seem a bit high but the cylinders could be carboned up & that would account for high readings...... The reading don't look too bad but that 205 is right on the edge..... I would hate to see you spend unnecessary money but a leakdown test on the suspected cylinders would confirm a bad head gasket. Also a pressure transducer & labscope would confirm that & be easier to run.
Is the car using any coolant? HCs are measured in "parts per million", did they say how many ppms there was?
You said you ran the compression test, if you have an air compressor you could run a leakdown test (sort of) youself. I would bring the low cylinder up on the compresson stroke & run air in there with the rad cap off (you may need someone to hold the crank pulley with a breaker bar to keep the engine from turning over), if you get bubbles or the level rises, then you are probably looking at a bad head gasket....
As far as the risks go, you really can't calculate it...... If the alledged leak stay the same as it is right now, not getting any worse, then there wouldn't be too much of a problem. (not likely if there is a leak) If the leak got big quickly & overheated the engine severly, you could risk ruining the whole motor............
Hope this helps some........
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kenscar
New User
Aug 1, 2009, 2:37 PM
Post #4 of 7
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Re: 1999 Acura TL Compression
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Thanks for the response.
It does not appear to be using any coolant but then again I really have not driven it much since their mechanic inspected it.
They did not report a ppm on the hydrocarbons. He said it was a "lithmus" test; the tab turns cooler in the presence of hydrocarbons. From what I gather this test can also be done with SMOG test equipment?
Since I do not have an air compressore or the proper fittings, I probably need to have another shop diagnose it.
Thanks again
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Sidom
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Aug 1, 2009, 4:02 PM
Post #5 of 7
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Re: 1999 Acura TL Compression
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That is one of 2 tests I place no value in..... The other is a block test..... A tube with blue liquid that will turn yellow when air from the cooling system is passed into it with exhaust gases in it....... The only time I've see those tests being accurate was when it was such an obvious blown head gasket you didn't need those test to confirm it. In cases like yours (early on) I've seen those tests pass cars & just the opposite, when there was no gasket problem get a false positive.
Exhaust gas analyzer, pressure transducer or leakdown test are the only sure ways I go by to detect a leaking head gasket in the early stages...........
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kenscar
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Aug 2, 2009, 1:49 AM
Post #6 of 7
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Re: 1999 Acura TL Compression
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Hmmm.Thanks, Sidom. I will start with the exhaust gas analyzer. Is there a particular ppm reading above which I should be concerned or is anything above 0 ppm bad?
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Sidom
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Aug 2, 2009, 5:25 AM
Post #7 of 7
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Re: 1999 Acura TL Compression
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HCs are raw/unburned fuel so the reading should be zero..............
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