2g GSX - Is it finally dead for good?!

[johnson512n28]

So I blew out one of the cylinders in my 2g, here.. I'm posting up to get you guys' opinions on my options.

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Plug that came off that cylinder.

Did a compression test that cylinder is definitely down. I'm not a mechanic, so it is really unrealistic for me to try and fix an engine problem myself. I have already put around $4k into it over the past six years, including replacing the engine. Ironically, this month is the last payment I have to make on the loan for the car... f*cking hilarious -.-

Anyway, check this out..

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These are, obviously, the the strut towers.. I'm not sure what it would cost to get that machined, but it would pretty much require an entire overhaul. As I haven't posted enough on the site to post this car in the marketplace, I just wanted to see what any of you guys would do... I've replaced so much of the car, I mean... the rest of it is really just fine. I know these frames are pretty sought after, but the condition of this one makes me question if anyone would even want it.

 

[1997_GSX]

You can buy the driver side strut tower from the dealer for about 175, the passenger side is discontinued, you cut it out at a scrap yard if the tower is good from that car. It is a lot of work to weld new ones on but it is possible.

 

[johnson512n28]

Alright, so its winter now and as I live in Indiana there is a decent amount of snow so I can't work on it outside and I don't have an available garage. I really hate to have it sit out in the weather this whole winter. I think I might just get it stored until the spring/summer when I can dedicate my time to working on it. That would also give me time to do research and buy some new tools!

Thank you all for your input - you've helped a lot.

 

[anthonydinatale]

Sell me your awd system?

 

[johnson512n28]

Sell me your awd system?

You're not the first one to ask, .. It would appear the drivetrain is pretty sought after (also one of my favorite things about the car ^_^). Like I said, I cant part it out myself right now, but if the right offer came along for the whole vehicle I might take it..

 

[johnson512n28]

I decided that unless there is nuclear war or some jackass crashes into my car I will not be giving up on it. The strut towers will be replaced, (at least one of them), or repaired, but I really need to figure out what is keeping it from running. I can't even pull it into my garage right now, after having it sit over the holiday it no longer will stay running on the three cylinders.

I pulled the valve cover and the gasket definitely needed to be replaced, but that wouldn't cause horrible compression in that one cylinder.. I believe the only way to tell if I have bent valves is to pull the entire head, eh? In that case, I suppose I need to learn anyway..

 

[VTEC_THIS]

You can do a cylinder leakdown test to see if the valves are bent while the head is still installed. You don't have to remove the head to find out if the valves are bent or not.

 

[johnson512n28]

Thanks a lot for letting me know! I was about to start pulling things.

Got it all put back together today, new valve cover gasket and pcv valve. She fired up still sounding like crap, of course, but at least running. I'm fairly sure since the first cylinder has really low but some compression that I've got a piston ring busted. I could hear knocking about while she sputtered for a while..

At least I can run it on three cylinders over to a friend's who has a garage and compressor to do a leakdown test.. Its looking like I'm in for doing my first full rebuild. 'Bout time, really.. I needed to replace lots of stuff anyway..