Ok so I bought a mini cooper awhile back not running good. Did a carbon clean on it and then tested compression was between 30-90psi per cylinder. So I filled the intake ports with gas to see if the valves where bent and sure enough they wouldn't hold anything drained right into cylinders. So I said ok needs new valves pulled the head off put all new valves in. Reassembled everything and went to start it won't start! Did another compression and still between 30-90 psi at most! Am I looking at a timming chain being stretched at this point? I did a dry and wet compression test and still nothing different. What should the final torque spec be on the head? I want to go back and recheck all the studs aswell. I am decently familiar with taking engines apart I work on audis everyday.

 

Head bolts are torque-to-yield so I'm assuming you replaced those when you changed the head, right? Working from the middle/out, torque values are 30 ft. lbs. in stage 1, then rotate 90 degrees more in stage 2. Standard compression psi is 131-196.

 

I've never worked on an Audi engine but I doubt if they use similar timing techniques as the Mini. What procedure did you use (Bentley, Haynes, TIS, u-tube), and did you use the recommended timing tool set? Chain stretch is easily measured with the correct timing tools. Sounds to me like you're making all the Mini "newbie" mistakes. These engines are super-sensitive to torque specs. I strongly suggest you get the specs before doing much more.

Mileage? Mods? Your state or country location?