What test result would likely suggest piston ring damage?

The indication of piston ring damage is most closely associated with all cylinders showing low and equal compression. When piston rings are compromised, they fail to maintain proper sealing against the cylinder walls, leading to a significant loss of compression across the engine. If all cylinders exhibit low and similar compression readings, it suggests a widespread issue affecting the sealing capabilities of the rings, rather than a localized problem that might be caused by a faulty valve or gasket in just one cylinder.

In contrast, random inconsistencies between cylinders would point to variances that are more localized, potentially related to other components like valves or head gaskets, rather than a uniform issue with the piston rings. A scenario where one cylinder shows zero compression typically indicates a severe problem, perhaps a broken valve or a hole in the piston, rather than primarily piston ring failure. Lastly, various cylinders operating within a range of 150 to 180 psi suggest that the engine is generally in good shape; those compression numbers indicate proper sealing, which would not align with piston ring damage.