like dsm1990 said if you do a wet test that will tell you 100% if the ring lands are bad. If that comes up with nothing different than the dry test then its the head gasket.

 

the shop i took it too did a wet test and i did a dry test and they were the same. i guess its time to get some new tools since i dont have any. im gonna take the head off and check the gasket. when i get the head off should i be able to look at therings too? i havent ever torn into an engine.once again you guys rock no one knows dsms like you guys. thanks again

 

well if they did a wet and dry test and they came the same then its not the piston rings. Its gotta be the head gasket. Guaretee looking at those numbers that its just blown on the outer edge of the gasket. If the rings are going then youll notice some pretty bad wear in the inside of the cylinder walls. Another possibility for a problem is simply bad valve guides. But that you can check also once you have the head off

 

okay i was looking at vfaq.com for anything to help with a step by step process and couldnt find anything is there a good write up anywhere?

 

sure in a manual, haha

 

cool i have the book i cant believe i didnt think of that. lol thanks te hopefully this all works out so i can keep my baby i have already put 13 grand into this 5,000 dollar car but i love my dsm

 

Follow the book step by step and you'll be fine.

 

Guys i think i may have misled you. I called the shop i had taken it to because i thought that i may have forgotten some details about what they found out. this may change the head gasket theory. anyway cylinder number 1 is leaking about 80 % 2 is 5% 3 is 8% and 4 is 3 %. they also found that air was escaping past cylinder number one and leaking into the crank case. they also said they heard air escaping out through the exhaust and that may be a bad valve. so what do you guys think now. i dont know if just the hg will fix what i need here. i need your help guys