Head Gasket?piston ring?

[babydude2099]

Ok, As some of you may or may not remember, my OHC shakes and sputters. Sounds like there are only 3 pistons working and the pressure in the suspected cylinder is 115psi compared to 185 and 165psi. So, just when I was ready to send that thing to the junker, I read (in a nissan forum) that a blown headgasket will reduce the pressure of some cylinders. So now I'm thinkin' that it could be a head gasket problem instead of a piston ring problem. when I did the pressure test, I put a tsp of oil in the problematic cylinder and the psi jumped to 125. (another thing to note, last year I noticed a "milk" like substance on the dipstick...didnt know what it was until now).

So what do you guys think, Piston ring or Head Gasket?

If it's the rings Im junkin' the car!

[kid_funky_fly]

head gasket it sounds like to me, im going threw the same thing, but i suspect my head is cracked

[Brad97GS]

Sounds more like rings to me since you have an oil fouled plug. But I'm not 100% positive. Hopefully someone with more experience can help out here...

[kid_funky_fly]

oh i didnt see anything about an oily plug :P

[Brad97GS]

It was in a different post. :)