30PSI on # 6

[M@_]

Hi, This is my first post at any Toyota forums. I've been on Honda-tech for 6 years, and I hope to find a simialar knoweldge base.

I just bought a 93 T100 w/ 195,000 and did a compression test to find cylinder 1-4 in the 180-190 range, and 5 was 160 and 6 is 30 *gasp*.

I put about two table spoons of oil into the cylinder, and that didn't help anything. Although at this point I didn't really think that bad rings would yield a number as low as the one I have. The same for a bad headgasket, but let me ask you.

What could cause a compression number to be 30psi or less? btw I didn't let the engine warm up much before the test.

If this could possibly be a headgasket I'll open it up and look to see what is in that cylinder. If not then I think I'll just start looking for a new motor. I'm not sure that I want to put another 3VZE in it, but I'm not really sure what the costs are beyond buying the motor and a hoist(trans?). I guess I'm just looking for advise on what motor should go in it(not a V8). So if you feel inclined to share your opinion be my guest.

Also I read about a recal on some headgaskets from Toyota. Do all of the 3VZE's fall under that, and might I qualify?
Thanks,
Matt

[toyomoho]

Guessing the recall was for 89-95 pickups and 4Runners. A Toyota dealer would know if this truck was effected by the VIN and if so was it ever fixed under the recall. This would be the place to start.

[greg r]

I would suspect a burnt valve or valves. I just recently played this low cylinder pressure movie with my '93 Tercel. A leak down test homed in on it, and a tear down confirmed it. About 300 clams later for a head job and she's runn'in like a scalded ape, at least as much as a Tercel can do. All the work was done with the block IN the rig.

A head gasket leaking that bad, you'd have had overheating/boil over up the kazoo by now.