Wrote off a comeback for a 5.3 with 210k on it, then the compression numbers shut me up
Had a customer roll in three months ago with a 2011 Silverado, 5.3 with 210k on the clock, burning oil and down on power. I told him straight up it was time to think about a reman or a used long block, because I have seen too many high mile LS motors turn into a money pit once the rings start going. He asked me to just do a compression test first, which I figured was a formality. Number 7 came back at 135 while the rest sat between 175 and 180. I was ready to write it off right there. But he wanted me to try one thing before pulling the trigger, a top end soak with a can of Berryman through the intake and let it sit overnight. Next morning the numbers on 7 came up to 168 and the two cylinders next to it evened out too. Turns out most of the loss was carbon stuck rings, not worn ones. I got humbled pretty good on that one. Has anyone else seen a soak buy real time on one of these, or did I just get lucky with a one off?