Sounds like the cylinder heads have warped to the ponit where the engine is losing so much compression that is can't start. However, that's a big jump to a conclusion without running any tests; so here goes:
The first thing to do is to check for a spark (assuming that the vehicle has gas). Here's how:
1. Disconnect a spark plug wire at the spark plug end.
2. Connect the plug wire to the spark tester and ground the tester to an appropriate location on the engine. (if you don’t have a spark tester, put a screwdriver into the spark plug end of the wire and lay it on the engine so that there is at least a ¼ inch gap between the metal part of the screwdriver and a metal part of the engine)
3. Crank the engine and check for the presence of spark, and also the intensity at the tester. (or a spark between the screwdriver [metal part] and the engine)
4. If spark exists at the tester (or screwdriver), the ignition system is functioning properly.
5. Repeat the procedure on at least one of the remaining spark plug wires.
Once the presence of a spark is established, use a compression guage to check engine compression on all cylinders. Be sure to write down the readings you get for each cylinder.
Cylinder numbers and location:
Cylinder numbers:
1 2 3
Passenger
Side 4 5 6
Front of vehicle
Please post the results of these two "tests."
Dec 15, 2012 at 2:35 PM
