DB Compression ratios.

It is often asked, “why wasn’t this uneven oil consumption a problem with the DB 601 (or DB 600, for that matter)”.
The answer is, it probably was but it needs to be remembered that the DB 600 series engines were designed and put into production very quickly and so, it is quite possible that the problem took some while to filter back to the manufacturer. It may well have been a fact that overhauled DB 601 engines were fitted with low compression pistons in the left-hand bank.
The original hand books and data sheets would, of course, only mention the single compression ratio figure.
It would be an interesting exercise for the Bf 109 experts to check if photos of Bf 109’s in service had dirtier, sooty exhaust stains on the left side of the cowling as compared to the RHS.