Just asking...was the throttle open when you tested? Tried a leakdown test?

'Random misfire': what codes (if any) are you getting? Should be P301 for cylinder 1.

Unlikely, but if the valves have never been adjusted, you might have several that are out of spec. (Exhaust valves get tighter, especially when cold.)

If you check the valves, look for bad camshafts. Was an issue on 2002 - 2003 Elements and Vs.

Question on worn exhaust cam lobes 2003 w/288,000 miles

Hey All, Wondering if anyone can answer a question. I performed the first valve adjustment on my '03 with 288,000 miles today. Followed the great tutorial that "Eric the Car Guy" has on Youtube. Disassembly went fine, everything looked clean (regular oil changes, no hard driving). Here's...

www.elementownersclub.com

 

... but from what I found, it's 135psi. Why are my numbers so low?

You shouldn't discount faulty equipment... if your gauge is off, obviously you'll get bad/low readings.

Assuming the engine was warmed up, all plugs out and throttle open? you're also supposed to relieve the fuel pressure, but I didn't know that at the time so...

According to my book 135psi or 9.3bar is the minimum pressure. When I did mine (at 300,000kms) they were in the 155-170psi range. Variance should be no more than 2 bar or 30psi between highest and lowest.

 

The spec I see is 135. with variance being 28psi. AFAIK, new K24s usually produced around 180 psi.

it is weird that all of your cylinders have low compression. maybe your gauge is out of calibration. As far as causes for low compression, that’s what following up with other testing is for. You’re looking for where you’re losing the compression to.

 

Read what Carbuff2 said. And let us know ? And yeah cheap junky gauges are not always correct.