hey folks,

I have a 2007 R56 Justa (~60k miles) that has been misfiring due to low compression, from an accident in 2010. Given that compression is such a fundamental engine problem, my trusted mechanics are suggesting that I get rid of the car.

What do you think is the best option to get rid of the car?

1) Sell car as mechanic's special (~$3500) - obviously the easiest option.
2) Dismantle car and sell the parts (where's a good place to sell the parts?) - most of the parts are fine. this would offer an opportunity to gain some experience and learn about cars. how much time will this take?
3) Something else?

Will go with option 1 unless there is something else interesting about option 2, or an option 3 that I don't know about.

 

If was me, option 1. Or even donate the car and take a tax deduction.

 

Never heard of an accident causing low compression.

 

What compression numbers are you getting? What is this accident that caused the low compression?

Have the spark plugs been changed? If not, change them. Chances are that the gap is blown out to over .050" which is double factory spec, and causes misfires and poor performance.

 

Most recent numbers - 210, 160, 90, 160; If I recall correctly, the mechanic mentioned the higher numbers were likely due to burned oil forming a seal in the cylinder, as the engine was going through oil very quickly (consumed 5 quarts over a 400 mile road trip). Mechanic actually moved me to 20W-50 to form a better seal in the cylinders and quiet the engine a bit.

Clarifications of my previous comment - accident occurred in 2010 with previous owner (airbag had deployed); I don't know much about the accident. I am simply assuming the low compression was due to the accident, as I did not know of another reason a low mileage engine (60k miles) could have low compression. Mechanic thought the engines were simply made very poorly, but I dunno. The n12s didn't have the same issues as the n14, so again, I'm not entirely sure why there is low compression.

Plugs and coil packs have both been replaced (multiple times actually) to no avail. Even tried plugs from the n14 engine for the better heat tolerance (I think that was the reason).

It's been sitting for almost a year now, so apologies if there are holes in the details of the diagnosis.

 

Sounds like you need to do a leak down test and figure out why cylinder 3 is that low.

210 is a great number for an NA engine, the 160s and definitely 90 are a bit concerning.

Did the car over heat?

Start with a leak down test, find out where cylinder 3 is loosing compression, chances are that you're pulling the head. Usually when we have to do head work prices fall between $2500 & $3000 depending on what's needed.

 

My mechanic stated that the 210 is likely not the actual pressure for that cylinder. He believed the burnt oil was probably forming a temporary seal.

I do not think there was any overheating / head gasket issues as the coolant was clear (no oil), and there was no white / gray smoke coming out of the exhaust.

Given that any repair for low compression would likely be more than 2k.. figured it's not worth the repair.