Compression problems?

RICHARD OAKS

MEMBER
2002 HONDA CIVIC
1.6L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
150,000 MILES

Cylinders 1 and 4 have little or no compression. Cylinders 2 and 3 have 180 PSI. Cylinder 1 has 10 PSI and cylinder 4 has maybe 5 PSI. The engine cranks but runs badly. Checked spark and fuel it was good. Checked timing marks seem to be in line.

Saturday, February 25th, 2023 AT 12:11 PM

4 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,913 POSTS

Hi,

Did this happen all at once? For the compression to be that low, either we have a valve that isn't fully closing, a small hole in the top of the piston, a failed head gasket, something is cracked, or a timing issue.

Have you removed the valve cover? If so, do all valves appear to be fully closing? Let me know.

Also, let me know how much you have already taken apart. We will likely need to remove the cylinder head for inspection. However, I need to know if it happened all at once, if there was any engine noise prior, or anything you can think of that may help. Keep in mind all Honda engines except the 3.0 and 3.2 are interference engines. If the timing belt jumped, we could have internal damage.

Let me know.

Joe

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Saturday, February 25th, 2023 AT 10:52 PM

RICHARD OAKS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Yes, it just started running rough. I have pulled the valve cover off, the upper timing cover, alternator, power steering, and A/C belts. Removed harmonic balancer, all that to check if the timing marks lining up. No engine noise and still cranks and runs on the 2 cylinders. Just no power and of course runs like crap. All valves appear to be opening and closing.

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Sunday, February 26th, 2023 AT 10:19 AM

RICHARD OAKS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

It's a 2000 not a 2002.

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Sunday, February 26th, 2023 AT 10:21 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,913 POSTS

Hi,

It's odd that the cylinders are on opposite sides of the engine. By chance, did you notice low coolant? I'm questioning if coolant entered the two affected cylinders and slightly bent a connecting rod.

When you check compression, how long does it take for the compression to drop off in the low cylinders? I realize you aren't starting with much, but see if that drops quickly.

I attached the timing marks below that I have to confirm that is what you are seeing. If it is and you see the valves opening and closing, the head will have to come off.

Let me know.

Joe

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