Blowing LOTS of smoke

[grandmasterwayn]

So I spoke to the mechanic again and asked the questions you said. He said the engine has low compression and he thinks it's either the head gasket or the piston rings. He also said that it would be about 24 hours of labor to get to those parts to see them. I have some service contract which would cover the rings or the pistons but they wouldn't cover the gasket.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by grandmasterwayn

So I spoke to the mechanic again and asked the questions you said. He said the engine has low compression and he thinks it's either the head gasket or the piston rings. He also said that it would be about 24 hours of labor to get to those parts to see them. I have some service contract which would cover the rings or the pistons but they wouldn't cover the gasket.

What compression pressures did he see? He should have given you a table with pressure by cylinder.

[Gelbster]

JFP is too modest to say so but you are unlikely to ever read a Post about the M96 than from anyone more qualified than him.
BTW see Post 6 above. You still haven't asked for a referral to a competent M96 mechanic in Vegas , so I give up - horse to water......
There are good M96 mechanics who need our business and support. Why use a general mechanic(& he may be brilliant) on an engine as peculiar as the M96 and expect a good result?