Why do I have NO COMPRESSION IN #2 CYLINDER

Tiny
CHELS5515
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 SATURN SL2
  • 180 MILES
Isn't receiving any compression in the second cylinder. Wondering what could make that happen an really what to do for the problem. Im trying to purchase the vehicle an that is the problems they are having an are giving up on the car for.
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 AT 3:46 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
If there is 0 compression, you either have a burnt / stuck valve, a hole in the piston. Bad rings or a bad head gasket would have low compression. The head will need removed to determine the problem. This is a major issue, so don't spend much if you buy it.
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Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 AT 3:52 AM
Tiny
CHELS5515
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks I appreciate the information. They want $800 im going to take it to a shop first an have them check it out it could be something petty. But thank you again.
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Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 AT 6:53 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Just to add to this one its not going to be something petty number 1 Cause of low or no compression on those engines are burnt valves.I worked at saturn dealers for many many years and have seen it time and time again burnt valves causing low or no compression. So sounds like theyare asking too much with a compressiin issue.
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Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 AT 3:07 PM
Tiny
CHELS5515
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
So. In your opinion what would you offer for the car? Or would this just be a time to pass it up. An if it happens once is it more likely to happen again?
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Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Its not a common valve issue its just the number one cause for lack of compression on those engines. When you repair them of course you have a full valve job done so you dont run the risk of a another valve burning later on.I would say to just pass on the car because here is how I see you will have to pay some one to fix the lack of compression which wont be cheap. Then like every used car you will have to have all the other things to fix as well that are wrong with a used car. Like if its a automatic sometime down the road you will have to deal with the pressure regulator sticking in the transmission valve body and causing pressure issues inside the transmission. Not cheap to fix and most transmission shops will want to rebuild your whole transmission or replace it for that issue. Even though you can do a pressure test to see the regulator is sticking and air check the clutch packs to make sure there holding and check the slip monitors in the transmission to see if the clutches may have gotten damaged. So unless you can fix the car yourself and talk them down on the price I would pass on that one.I love the S model saturn its my favorite model out of all the models saturn made.
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Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 AT 4:46 PM

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