Smoke troubles..

[purg3d]

Maybe I should have rented a compression tester before doing a tune-up, but I had high hopes/wishfully thought replacing a few wear items would afford me a reliable car. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case.
So, here's a video- complete with commentary. Engine runs smooth as butter at 500rpms warm. Doesn't have excessive amounts of gas leaking into the coolant that I can see. Also, don't notice any coolant loss.

I just need someone to burst my bubble. I see a combination of rings, valve stem and probably head gasket or cracked head. Engine needs rebuild and car's frame is tweaked. What would you do?

Thanks in advance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V48-rUhgJrc

[1chrisapple]

I vote that u have ring problems whats the mileage.looks like u have excessive blow by to which indicates bad rings.but the water dripping from exhaust is normal all cars do it. just condensation build up.
also if the body is tweaked past thepoint of good alignment then I believe u r wasting your time.

you can make decent off parting it out id buy all the tune up stuff u just got for it. if its 5spd would be interested in the whole swap. you could sell the tires they look new. I mean u could get prolly 5-6 partout but up to u. good luck but pm me if u start selling parts

[purg3d]

189k on the odometer. Thanks for your input. I wanted to believe the rings were fine, but pulling the dipstick reveals slight pulses of smoke. I was wearing blinders. 5:28 and on, if you look closely before the muffler, there's a consistent stream of water. I think the video says it all. I'm going to look at another festiva today/tomorrow. Third time's the charm, maybe.

[drddan]

That is a lot of water for being condensation. Condensation usually is just some drips. When you statrted the engine there was quite a bit of smoke and it kept smoking. Rings!

The water is prolly a head gasket. You mentioned it had been wrecked, and it may have over heated. Head gasket!

Rent a compression tester and check the compression on all 4 cylinders. They should be close to the same. If not, rings are bad. I think they should be around 170.
Someone correct me if i'm wrong on the 170 .....

[1chrisapple]

180-190 is better obviously but as long as consistent between cylinders they'll still run good down to about 140 but that's pushing it

[purg3d]

A replacement has found it's way home. 124k on the odometer. Doesn't leak or smoke. I'm over budget, but happy.

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh585/purg3d/100_4753_zps0032e729.jpg

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh585/purg3d/100_4755_zpsadea80c3.jpg

[1chrisapple]

awesome looks to be no rust lol not bad paint nice interior

[purg3d]

Thanks. Only rust I found was in the spare tire hole. It's going under a fine tooth comb tomorrow. Cat seems to enjoy laying on the funtop. I should have anticipated that.

[zoom zoom]

How bad is the frame? If the engine is bad a b6 swap is the obvious easy answer...if it can be aligned.

[purg3d]

The front shroud/upper support is toast. The driver's fender support was crumpled almost beyond recognition. I pulled out what I could, but the roof has a wave, and the driver's side "a" pillar sits about an inch off the door.
All of which I could deal with, as I don't mind a jalopy (with a fresh windshield and good brakes), but the blown engine was the final straw. Never had it on the road long enough to get it aligned, but I tore the supports/welds pretty bad trying to get the headlights buckets to sit.
Eh, I learned a lot- if that's any consolation. Not sure what I want to do with the car. It has a nasty rust hole/paint bubbles developing just before the rear wheel on the passenger side. Repairable, just not with any tools I currently own.