After a few trouble-free years with a Corolla 98 I decided to go for another used Toyota - a 4Runner . The one that I'm currently looking at is a 97 with the 2.7L engine with 170k miles on it, manual transmission.
I'm not very mechanically inclined and after a couple of hours searching and reading decided to ask here instead:
The compression test shows 140PSI with pretty close numbers for the different cylinders. Is that too low for the mileage?
According to the manufacturing specs for the 3rz-fe engine, the STD compression is 178+ and the minimum - 127PSI. Now if the engine continues to wear out with the same rate I figured that it will reach the minimum compression in about 42k miles .
Any input greatly appreciated!

 

compression test numbers do vary from tester to tester and if the motor is hot or cold if you're holding the throttle open or not. How good your battery is charged also matters. Have you drivin the runner around up hills and on the free way? So you're aware its not gonna be a super fast runner by anymeans compared to a v6 runner.

 

Thanks a lot for the info, vital22re! About how much of a difference could one expect with all the variables you mentioned?
No, unfortunately I wasn't able to drive it today will do on Thursday though, before committing to buying. I'm buying it from a dealer and their mechanic had the compression tested prior to our meeting...
V6 would be nice but can't afford the price premium at the moment.