Originally posted by JimmyHat
A Good way to check this is by putting oil in the cylinder above the piston, then try a compression test. if you get the same compression you had before then you can bet its the rings or the valves.its the rings if the oil leaks through and goes right to the oil pan. If its still there then its your valves.
if you put oil in the cyl you are checking for ring seal. if compression stays the same after adding oil, the rings are not the problem. adding oil to the cyl takes up any air gaps in the rings and give a better seal. adding oil will tell you nothing about valve condition.