No they weren't loose don't think I'd be losing compression through oil rail...

 

I guess I missed the post where you said you rechecked compression after fixing the pushrod and swapping the injector.

 

Nothing was bad and they weren't loose but I don't think I'd be losing compression through the oil rail...

 

Well compression was the first thing I checked and I had bad compression in cylinder 3

 

I read that.

Then you fixed a pushrod and still had issues w/ poor running symptoms. Then you swapped injector #3 (which clearly had an issue) as indicated by the discoloration.

You tried running it again and still had problems.

I am just wondering if it is still low compression or could you have had several problems at once.

I couldn't tell that from your posts.

 

Correct but if injector #3 really was the issue then it would be pulling a code for Cylinder #1 Contribution/Balance but the original engine code stayed instead and no new codes appeared.

 

All I am saying is maybe you had a compression issue at #3 (since you saw evidence of compression gas getting past the copper washer, but maybe you corrected it) and you ALSO still have a separate issue w/#3 (unrelated to compression). Stranger things have happened.

A clue is that it ran well for a bit after the initial work - at least that is what I read in your initial post. That doesn't sound like a hole in a piston.

Anyway, it was a simple question. low probability - time to move on .........

 

I see what you mean, I'm just trying to come down to a conclusion hahaha. At this point I'm starting to think I should pull the head off and see if I find anything but I don't want to be just throwing parts at it

 

That's why I am asking questions - it is the best way I know of to minimize the chance of blind parts replacement ......
Would be interesting to see actual numbers on the compression, but we can't have everything we want ....

 

So I know this thread is old but I may have stumbled across a solution nobody has mentioned here. Disclaimer: I noticed immediate results, got excited and had to post, but need more time assessing MY vehicle before I can say this procedure was completely successful. First of all, carefully consider this: did these symptoms occur after replacing a part like a sensor or fuel pump? I had to replace my high pressure fuel pump, after that is when I started noticing these symptoms. I bought an obd2 FORScan tool, got the program and hooked my truck up to my laptop. The scanner gave me the mentioned PCM code. The program has the ability to "reset PCM Adaptations" (your vehicle learns to overcome wear and tear) after the reset and clearing the code: idle, take-off from standstill, power and timing of turbo while taking off and while cruising were all seemingly way way way! better than before the reset! Hope this helps everyone! Hopefully, after a few days of learning itself, it gets even better!