I have zero compression in all 4 cylinders

Tiny
SPARKY106
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 KIA RIO
  • 90,000 MILES
The engine cranks but sounds different then it did when it was able to start. The timing belt looks intact, it appears the timing marks are close enough on mark to at least get the engine to burrp. When cranking motor with spark plugs removed, I can see each cylinder appear to move up and down independently. I do have spark at each cylinder but no compression. What do you think? Also no engine codes stored.
Monday, March 19th, 2012 AT 12:16 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
SPARKY106
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Actually I was coming home, parked in the driveway and when I went to start it the very next time, the sound off the motor was definately different then when it was able to start previously. The engine was about 2 1/2 quarts low on oil and the oil that was in there smelled really foul, old and burnt. There was a time or two within the past year that the cars temp gauge redlined because the cooling fan quit working. The motor was shut off imediately at those times and after replacing the fan the motor seemed to work fine up until now. I can see the pistons move up and down thru the spark plug holes when the motor is cranked, the timing belt looks fine and the timing marks are real close. I just dont have any compression in any cylinder. Where do I start?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 19th, 2012 AT 12:44 AM
Tiny
SPARKY106
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I guess what I meant to say is the car was still in time while checking with a timing light, the belt looked good and appears to be doing what its suppose to do. What other component failures would lead to zero compression but the engine still cranks and the pistons are moving up and down while cranking it. Do I just start taking apart the cylinder head. Im hoping there are some other types of testing to determine if its valves, hydraulic lifters, piston rings, ect before I start taking stuff apart thats not necessary. I really do appreciate your time and thank you for your help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, March 19th, 2012 AT 1:13 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
This sounds like the engine has jumped timing. Based on the fact that the engine oil was not properly maintained, I suspect the timing belt is worn and when this happens it is only a matter of time for it to jump time. So, if you are saying the timing looks close then that is not going to be good enough. Plus checking the timing with a timing light is not going to check the timing alignment so we need to start with the info attached.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/serpentine-belt-timing-belt-timing-chain-diagrams

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

So, if you have 0 compression on all cylinders then this is most likely a timing issue, so we need to start with the info attached.

Please run through this and let us know what you find. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 AT 4:45 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links