Low Compression - No start

[a-pissed-guy]

Story; Left water in the radiator after a summer time replacement. Forgot it was there. (Stupid I know) Froze up. Started overheating (on 5 minute drives to and from work for 2 days before I stopped driving it. So, maybe 30 minute total time driving) Started it about a week later after I let the weather warm up to melt the ice inside of it and put antifreeze in it. Started it up and it ran normal for maybe 15 secs then started running real shitty. Turned it off, popped hood and I THINK I saw smoke / steam coming from the head gasket, not positive though. Freeze plugs still in it also.

99 eclipse, NT, 420A engine.

Now it won't start at all. Did a compression test. Results; (First number is piston all the way to the left if looking at car from front) ~40 - ~60 - ~60 - ~75 (On cold engine since it won't start.)

Thoughts on the failure? Cracked head, block? Blown gasket?

Feedback highly appreciated.

 

[BogusSVO]

That is way low, even for a cold engine.

Are you sure the gauge you used is good?

Also check the timing belt marks. It may jumped a tooth or 3 if the water pump was frozen up.

Next is a leak down test.

 

[a-pissed-guy]

That is way low, even for a cold engine.

Are you sure the gauge you used is good?

Also check the timing belt marks. It may jumped a tooth or 3 if the water pump was frozen up.

Next is a leak down test.

I'm pretty sure the gauge used is fine. Even before I took out the plugs and cranked it it seems like it has no comp.

I can try to have my mechanic check the timing belt. I've never done it. THanks for the input.

That is way low, even for a cold engine.

Are you sure the gauge you used is good?

Also check the timing belt marks. It may jumped a tooth or 3 if the water pump was frozen up.

Next is a leak down test.

Also, if the head or block were cracked wouldn't the compression be that low?

 

[BogusSVO]

You should be able to check the timing belt yourself.

Align the marks from the balancer to cover, then check and see if the cam gear marks line up

 

[a-pissed-guy]

You should be able to check the timing belt yourself.

Align the marks from the balancer to cover, then check and see if the cam gear marks line up

Ok. I'll do that later and post results. Thanks again.

 

[a-pissed-guy]

Ok, sorry for the late response. Took forever to get this done by my mechanic.

He said the timing is fine and wants to replace the head. Would that be what's causing the issue? I want to spend the least amount possible (of course) getting this fixed, but I want it completely fixed. Just want to make sure I'm fixing the right thing.

 

[2gnt99]

Ok, sorry for the late response. Took forever to get this done by my mechanic.

He said the timing is fine and wants to replace the head. Would that be what's causing the issue? I want to spend the least amount possible (of course) getting this fixed, but I want it completely fixed. Just want to make sure I'm fixing the right thing.

Definitely do a leak down test before you start throwing money at a new head.

 

[onyxtyson]

Make sure your timing marks line up!
Its hard for me to believe they all are low like that. Are you sure your starter wasnt bad or battery wasnt week. That will give low compression number if it doesnt have enough power to crank the motor.

 

[a-pissed-guy]

Make sure your timing marks line up!
Its hard for me to believe they all are low like that. Are you sure your starter wasnt bad or battery wasnt week. That will give low compression number if it doesnt have enough power to crank the motor.

Starter isn't more than 3 years old max. Battery was replaced in about that time frame also. We had a start pack attached to it to start it since the battery had died from sitting for too long.

 

[jayson427]

you need to do a leak down test to find out if the head or block has issues. unless your timing is off something is messed up. besides the water oil can freeze too so im wondering if something went wrong in that area. that could be why your compression is that low now. 3 years is old to me for a battery

 

[bullettdsm]

Ok, sorry for the late response. Took forever to get this done by my mechanic.

He said the timing is fine and wants to replace the head. .

The question that needs to be asked of your mechanic is "why?". What did he find wrong with the whole head that he wants to replace it? Did he find a bad valve? Did he find a bad headgasket? Did he find a crack in the head?

What others are going for is, the next step would be to do a leak down to see WHERE the problem lies (provided the timing is correct. I wonder about that. You can simply check it yourself. Here's a quickie way to see if you skipped timing (go to post #6); http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/452065-car-will-not-start-completely-lost.html ). Now, one would presume that your mechanic did a leakdown test, but I find doubt, if his answer is that you need a new head.

MB