Hello again,

Maybe i should start over from the begining again.

My 240D/auto was running great, smoked a bit and used oil, and has been a wonderful car for my wife and i.

Then suddenly it started to run rough at idle, still ok at speed, 50~70.

I left it over night and came out to start it[we live in N Calif]. Never have to use the start knob on the dash, just let it glow through its cycle and it always started. This time it wouldn't even fire a cylinder.

Sooooo i thought time to check the valve gaps etc. and i was going to do the seals at the same time

Adjusted the valves some were a bit tight. Ran a quick compression test[not the final because i have a push and hold compression tester] and i got 120,150,90 and 62, its hard to get the thing in the holes, using the glow plug holes for the test. According to some of the posts i have read this car should never have run, supposed to be 300 psi average. I will do another test. Interestingly i noted a while back that the valves for cylinders 3 and 4 were pretty oiled up, thats looking through the air intake and exhaust manifold holes. I was changing the exhaust gasket at the time. I thought its time for the seals to be replaced.

My original post was to find out what the compression should really be.

I'm at the point now of determining whether its rings or valves. My manual says use compressor to check for leaks in the combustion chambers, either though the rings or the valves.

I'm suprised that this car has not gone longer before having to do these kind of repairs. I hope its going to be valves, rings could also be a bore out job.

Any comments about mileage versus repairs. Mine is at 250 K.

thanks for your comments

brian