Ok So I did a compression test today on my B18A1. There was oil in the cylinders so plz take that in to consideration. Here is what I got, cylinder 1-210, cylinder 2-205, cylinder 3- 200, cylinder 4-200. So why do you think I am burning oil? Rings, or valve seals?
with oil in the cylinders, it’s probaly rings. valve seats will get you a low compression result even with the oil in the cylinders.
How much oil are you losing? I’d bank on a little of both, but you’re probably losing more through the valve seals if the engine has got high miles on it.
…oh, by the way: If your valve seats are leaking oil, then you’ve got big problems. 
Compression looks good with oil in there, nice and even.
I would guess if you are burning oil its from the rings, have you checked all the common leak locations? Drain pan plug, cam seal, etc.
Can you try the test again without oil?
I think he meant there was already oil in the cyl from the unknown leak.
Sounds like it could be your compression rings are still “ok”, but the oil rings are shot.
^^^ Yes he is right. I have oil in the cylinders from this unknown oil leak. I am thinking its the piston rings aswell. I have a new set on the way so I will start with that. Anyway I can check valve seals with the head on or off?
You say you have “a new set on the way”, did you get the stock bore 81mm or did you get the oversized rings. The reason I ask, is that you should not just try to slap some new rings in an engine and go. They will not seal up properly, and you will be loosing just as much if not more oil than before. You have to at LEAST hone the cyl to get the rings to set. Most of the time you can’t use the OE size rings since the piston to wall clearance will be out of spec. If you got the OEM OS (oversized) rings then you will need a bore + hone. If you knew all this then ignore my babble. :blah:
Your comments just made it sound like this was all you are going to do. When you make the decision to replace rings there are A LOT of other things that should be done at the same time. Basically, a FULL shortblock rebuild, (rings, bearings, seals, etc…).
…oh by the way: valve SEALS don’t effect compression.
Leaking seals will cause smoke on start up and don’t typically leak while running. Your car will smoke a good deal for the first few minutes, then stop. If it smokes the whole time, then it’s rings.
ok. I fully rebuilt this engine, with 45k miles on it. The stock hone was still showing. I didn’t have the money for a machinest to rehone it so I screwed up and said screw rehoning it. Now I am going to pull it apart and rehone it myself (now that I know how) and put new rings in. They should seal just fine with a new hone.