No compression in engine

ONYEZ

MEMBER
2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
88,000 MILES

My car was driving rough and I pulled the codes and got p0016/p0017 which says that the camshaft and crankshaft were not timed correctly. Bought the sensors and changed them but the car still will not start. Checked the starter and it was okay, checked to see if the was spark and there was, checked the fuel pressure and it was okay and the fuel pump was working. Took it into the shop to get checked out and fixed and was told that there was no compression in any of the cylinders. Is there any fix that does not involve changing the engine? Cannot afford that now.

8 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

No compression in any cylinders? That is a bit far fetched. I need to know the compression readings done dry and wet, this will give me a better idea as to what is going on. If compression's are well down and this is causing the problem, you will be looking at spending some serious money to get it fixed. There will be no simple fix for low compression's.

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Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 AT 2:05 AM

PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO

MECHANIC
1,853 POSTS

Remove the valve cover and see if the camshafts spin when cranking the engine over.

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Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 AT 7:03 AM

KRISSYJ1919

MEMBER
1 POST
2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU
20,000 MILES

If I replace the camshaft sensor will it help with my compression?

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Thursday, October 29th, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

Unfortunately, no , it will not. Low compression is from either worn piston ring, worn valves, blown head gasket, or a cracked cylinder head or engine block. Those are the only things that will cause low compression. Basically, low compression means tearing into the engine and doing mechanical parts replacement. I have included a few links below for you to go to below;;
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-low-compression
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/the-reasons-for-low-compression

Please go through these guides and get back to us with what you decide to do. If you want to fix whatever it is causing this condition, we can help you that as well.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Thursday, October 29th, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)

ROBERT C12-34

MEMBER
6 POSTS
2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC

I have a2006 chevy malibu with compression on 2 cylinders. Low or none on the other 2 cylinders. My question is this a blown head gasket? Also could burned valves be the cause of low or no compression on 2 cylinders? P.S the car over heated.

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Thursday, October 29th, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Could be the headgasket if the cylinders are adjacent to each other-could be a timing belt/chain problem and also be rings, valves and cylinder wear-

You can get a cylinder leakage test to find out actually where its leaking at

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Thursday, October 29th, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)

YOGIBEAR001

MEMBER
1 POST
1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
94,000 MILES

I have a '99 Malibu that wouldn't start, put in a new battery which worked for a week or so, but then another problem with starting. Jump started it to get it going, but it was running rough (missing). Took it to the dealer thinking new alternator and tune-up, but dealer states there is no compression in one of the cylinders. What could be the likely cause of the compression leak, and can thay contribute to the non-starting issues? Any idea of cost to get things repaired? Is it a better option to look at a replacemetn engine?

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Thursday, October 29th, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Hi yogibear001, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

One bad engine cylinder requres a major repair and can be expensive-If it was me I'll consider a replacement engine

If it was only a valve problem -all is need is a recondition cylinder head. Depends where the leak is-by doing a cylinder compression and leakage tests

Did they gave you the test results there's somehing fishy here and I don't like it get a second opinion on the leaking cylinder and get back with me asap-

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Thursday, October 29th, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)