terrible leak-down test, is my motor toast?

[mpowerdave]

Group,

I recently acquired a used s50 motor from a wrecked car. Make that a severely wrecked car - both motor mounts cracked, ac and p/s pump damaged. In the process is getting this motor into my e30 m3, I decided to run a leak down test. All of the cylinders are not good, but a couple are leaking 50% or more. :eyecrazy With 80psi in, I'm only able to measure 40psi in the chamber. And that's with some oil added. All of the air is leaking out the intake and as far as I can tell no air is coming out the exhaust or water pump/t-stat opening. My faint hope is that there is corrosion or slight rust along the valve seat from sitting for 8+ months with the intake manifold off. But, I'm thinking maybe the valves are bent from an over-rev during the crash... The previous owner said they started the motor after the crash and it ran fine.

So, is leak-down greater than 50% gloom and doom for this motor (and my wallet)? Or, can there still be hope that once it gets running the intake valves will reseat and seal!? :help

I guess my next step might be to remove the head, but I was really hoping to not have to do that. I'll also need to get my hands on the vanos tools before I can take the head off.

[JamesM3M5]

Cold leakdown tests are VERY misleading. Gotta get it up to temp before you can make any determinations on whether it's good or not. Sorry. :(

And IIRC, usually the exhaust valves are bent first in an over-rev. Either that or they're burned up from age or overheating.

But your engine will probably test fine once it's up and running. Is it gold/light colored under the valve cover, or is it brown and dark? Light/gold aluminum inside the engine means regular oil changes and probably used synthetic.