Compression question

[elwilliams13]

Would a plugged carboned up stock exhaust system affect your compression readings because the numbers I'm getting it shouldn't even be running 55lbs per cylinder. But it runs well with a slight hesitation until the rpm's come up. My other banshee runs awesome with 120 per cylinder on the same gauge. Did a search here and did the test just as described. I don.t know Maybe head gasket, rings, or funky gauge. What do you all think?

[shee4speed]

You sure you had the throttle wide open while kicking her?

[Bansh-eman]

it should not harm your static compression reading. make sure your tester is sealed and giving a good reading... 55lbs isnt not enough to start that motor. you either dont have it sealed all the way or the gauge is busted.

[elwilliams13]

Yeah I was both carbs open all the way.I gave the tester a little snug with a wrench to make sure it was tight. I beleive that I may have a bad head gasket now because when I cranked it up again and rode for a while it had a coolant leak and my hoses are bulging near the clamps looks like the cooling system is getting pressure from somewhere. I'm confused.

[David Keith]

No need to be confused. It sounds like you have established that you're compression test gage is okay because it worked fine on another motor. I've seen an engine run with compression as low as 50 psi before. It can happen. You just need o trace down where the leak is. Since it's leaking coolant, it may just be the head gasket. A stock engine should have at least 120 psi because that represents 8 to 1 compression ratio.