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Can valve settings affect compression?

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Just wondering, I'm getting a popping sound on acceleration and found that #6 plug is fouling slightly. Guess I should check and see if any of my valve settings are off. Can a valve that is opening or closing wrong affect plug color and maybe affect combustion. And because compression check will be accurate only with a properly closing valve, can a slightly off setting get a lower compression? I have yet to run a compression check to compare and am too lazy to pull the valve cover off to reset my valves. Just trying to work this out in my head before I get greasy on Sunday.


Bill
 
Put your stethoscope to #6 at idle and listen for the pop.
It could be a valve adjusting nut loosened.
I would pull the valve cover regardless, just to make sure that nothing potentially expensive happens.
If not valves, check your plug for damage.
 
You could have an exhaust valve that is sticking slightly in its guide, you could have the valve badly out of adjustment or you could have a problem on the ignition side of things. A compression test would help and as already suggested take off the valve cover and check the valves on that cylinder.
 
The only way it can hurt compression is if it's too tight and holding a valve open. I like Doug's idea.
 
if you have a burned valve or seat is shot then you can lose compression
rob
 
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