Poor Compression?!

2h should have as high compression as anything else so could be a bit of a concern. Look for other sighns such as blowing smoke hard to start and general poor performance. At 340k it should be starting to get a bit tired but may well have another 200k left. If it goes ok keep it going as a rebuild would not be cheap. Take it to a mechanic and get it compresion tested then you will be in a better position to consider your options. I have a 2h service manuel at home and would be happy to give you the acceptable ranges for compression if you want.
Just read the rest of your q compression is the pressure built up in the head of the motor when the piston rises. Like putting your finger over the end of a syringe (no needle) and pushing the plunger and compressing the air. This compression is the lifeblood of the diesal engine as it is the compression along with heat that burns the diesal instead of the spark plugs in a petrol- low compression = poorly burning fuel. 1 last thing dont let a mate try measuring the compression with a standard gauge as diesals have 2wice the compression of a petrol , not good

Jo,
340,000 km the rings or valves might need looking at but you have had a good run. I have had some petrol motors do the same thing and they didn't have the km's that your motor has.

When doing a reverse stall start don't take you foot off the brakes completely. Allow the bulk of the weight of the vehicle to be taken up by the gearbox but at the same time using the brakes as a back up.

Wayne

Jo

I wouldn't be overly concerned. From the way you described it there was a pause between "ticks".

The vehicle was being held by the compression in 1 cylinder only, for quite a while. So it's fair to expect the compression to sneak out past the rings ... until it lets go and then the next cylinder takes up and so on and so on.

Hence you can expect it to lug back down the hill a bit at a time. If you've got the time it's a fairly safe way to descend.

Cheers

Jo,
How steep was the hill? How much oil do you burn? If the vehicle isn't showing signs of being near its end of life cycle get a few basic checks done, compression test is one check but as mentioned don't use a standard guage the results could be a tad frightening, its nearer three times the compression pressure a GQ is around the 3000 kpa mark where as a normal petrol engine is around the 1000 kpa mark, be careful. The compression test will give you an idea where to start, if the engine backfires on the overrun take a look at the valves, could be cracks in the head, this list is long and varied.
If the hill is too steep you could always select low range, if it rolls back in low range either the tyres are slipping over the surface or you've got holes in your pistons.
I wouldn't put 340k as an extraordinary mileage. Hope this helps, my opinions as usual.

Maybe the instructor is someone who has always owned new vehicles and cant believe an old 4x4 can give good service.As the toopie didnt run away I wouldnt be too worried. Even compression on each cyl is more important than high compression(within reason).

The hill was probably about 30 degrees, and I was in low range. I burn about 3 liters per 5000km, and it doesnt smoke, its easy to start and runs fine as far as I know. I wouldnt have thought anything was wrong unless I had done that hill stall start, but it might still be fine even! Ill get a compression test done, and post the results back here for a second opinion. Thanks guys!

Jo

Could it be the clutch slipping?

Sounds like the old girl operates qute well from your coments. just because you sneeze doesnt mean you have a cold try the compression test at next service but I reckon you will have to wait a while for her to fall apart on you

Follow up posted to new thread to put it on the top.

Thanks,

Jo