Okay, so you know you have spark (I assume you used a spark plug tester)and your fuel pressure is okay (I assume you did a fuel pressure test).
You could still have somethig wrong with your fuel injectors (clogged, or no pulse).
Before you do a compression test, check your timing belt. If it's broken (and it's a strong possibility), there you have your problem.
To do a compression test, you need a compression tester. You need to remove a spark plug, hook up your tester, disable your fuel system/ignition coil, and then have someone crank the engine while you check the compression. Don't crank the engine for too long otherwise you will burn your starter.
Do that for each cylinder. You should find about the same compression for each of them (no more than 10% difference in readings). If you have low compression in one cylinder you probably have a burn exhaust valve or a worn ring (if it turns out to be the case, I'll tell you how to determine which one it is). If two cylinders have low readings, that would indicate a leaky/blown headgasket.
If all the cylinders have low compression, your cylinders and rings are worn out and you need an engine overhaul. You could also have a broken camshaft.
Finally, you could also have a big vacuum leak. We can talk about that more if fuel/spark/compression check out good.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 AT 2:23 PM