No Start / Compression Problem

HUMPHRIESONE

MEMBER
2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
128,236 MILES

I have a 2002 Mazda Tribute LX, 3L Engine, with DOHC. It stopped running awhile back and hasn't run since then. I did a spark test on it and found that all six cylinders were getting a spark. I tested the fuel system and the fuel pump was pumping fuel. After doing a compression test on all six cylinders I discovered this:
Cylinders #1 & 2 had 30 psi.
Cylinder #3 had 37 psi
Cylinders #4 & 5 had 0 psi and
Cylinder #6 had 150 psi which is what I've been told is the correct compression for all six cylinders.

My questions are:
Does the 0 psi of cylinders 4 & 5 indicate a blown head gasket between those two cylinders and possible broken valves or not?

Also do the low compression readings in cylinders 1, 2 and 3 mean valve damage or a blown head gasket also?

I am a automotive tech student with limited diagnostic experience and I could really use some expert input. I really need to repair my vehicle and get back on the road. Any help that anyone qualified to comment on my dilemna will be well appreciated.

5 Replies

BOATBUDDY

MEMBER
29 POSTS

I too am a auto tech student but I have some info that will help ya. First look at your coolent tank and see if its a dark color like oil and coolent mixed. Thats and easy indicater for bad head gaskets. Do a pressure test on the cooling system to findout if in fact the head gaskets are bad. The only good way to see if theres vavle damage would be to take the heads off. Did you do a wet and dry compression test?

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Thursday, January 6th, 2011 AT 3:54 AM

HUMPHRIESONE

MEMBER
6 POSTS

I was expecting a little more of an exact diagnosis. The coolant was a crutty orangish-brown color and it was caked up inside the coolant reservoir. I remove the reservoir cleaned it and boiled it out, then re-installed it. I couldn't adaquetly flush the system out because I haven't been able to start the engine. Evidently, the person that owned the car before me didn't take good care of it. What will a cooling pressure test reveal that the compression test didn't? Also, isn't there some way of telling if the cylinder heads have valve damage, without removing the heads? Like maybe doing a cylinder leakdown test on each cylinder?

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Thursday, January 6th, 2011 AT 4:31 AM

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
18,828 POSTS

Bingo do leak down

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Thursday, January 6th, 2011 AT 6:32 PM

BOATBUDDY

MEMBER
29 POSTS

The coolant test is for the head gaskets and like you and Docfixit said do the cylinder leakdown test.

Docfixit- does that sound acurate about the coolent pressure test? Im still learning haha

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Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 AT 2:30 AM

LUISPONCE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Hi my name is Luis P. and i live in Miami FL. i am a master mechanic with more than 20 years on my belt.
all i can tell you is that the Mazda tribute has one of the mos solid engines out there, the problem is some time people forget to take care of it doing the regular maintenance like oil change and to check all the fluid level.
here is a link i just create for you to see the real problem how start with a no start situation to a low compression to a bad head or head gasket do it to a overheating situation.
notice the black lines on between cylinders, that's were you find the real problem.
i hope you enjoy and if you have any additional question write me at legponce@live.com, i take donations there too. i hope this help you and have a good fix

http://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=454B765BC0EE47E0!686&authkey=!ADxTAtee0ldlOLw

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