?Clueless? leakdown test results

[khamul02]

Can some one please advise?

I'm looking to purchase a 89 911 with a ton of milage 170K+. All I really want is to commute in it & putt around town. What exactly does the leakdown test mean & how long do you think I can drive this car until serious repair is needed. Also can you give me some ideas about the cost invloved to fix what may be causing this problem?

Cylinder leakdown:
1. 6%
2. 10%
3. 80% **** at the least, I know this is very bad news
4. 4%
5. 7%
6. 5%

+ worn valve guide

Additional tech assessment:

The car runs very strong and has a long service history. The car has never been wrecked, the engine leaks no oil, suspension and body is tight, and the gearbox shifts very smoothly. The only issue with the car is one of the valve guides is excessively worn and therefore puffs oil smoke on startup. The engine otherwise doesn't smoke at all (neither on acceleration nor deceleration), so the bottom-end of the engine is in good shape.

inspection notes:
Car appears to have been repainted
Small dents in hood, left side, and roof
Broken sunroof cable (sunroof still functions)
Minor oil leak on oil line motor to cooler
Minor rear seal leak on transmission
Brakes good
Shocks good
Belts good
Transmission shifts nice
Clutch good
Electrics good
Air conditioning cools

[stevepaa]

My 92 had 160k miles and leakage up to 60% on three cylinders. It was all worn valve guides. You could have a shop do top end for maybe $10K, or you do it for $5k.

The numbers less than 10% are not that bad.

[74goldtarga]

My car has 30% leakage on 2 cylinders but runs well without problems. My mechanic quoted me a top-end rebuild cost around $4K. I'm guessing you'll be running on 5 1/2 cylinders with that much leakage on the cylinder. I think the leak-down represents poor sealing of the valves in the valve seats or through the valve guides rather than around the pistons/rings but just about everyone who posts here will know better than I do. It will give you an excuse to rebuild or swap your engine which is why I bought mine (slightly) cheaper as is. It should cost you less to buy with that number.