2001 Kai Rio compression/timing problem?

MERCURY996

MEMBER
2001 KIA RIO
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
100,000 MILES

Just a forwaring this will probably be somewhat long!
2001 Kia Rio 1.5l 5spd.
Purchased vehicle with 100K miles on it. Had blown radiator and assumed that was all that was wrong.
Vehicle was overheating so replaced radiator and thermostat. Vehicle running rough w/white smoke out of exhaust. Fairly certain a leaky head gasket.
Preformed compression test. 110lbs 75lbs 75lbs and 135lbs. Pulled head, replaced headgasket and had head machined as figured it was warped being aluminum. Cylinders and rings fine and cylinder walls look good, engine block looks fine.

Replaced loose timing belt while in there and put everything back together.
Vehicle won't start. Compression test preformed. 110lbs 110lbs 0lbs and 135lbs. Has me completely stumped.

Blew compressed air down cylinder which showed 0 compression while it was in TDC position and it held almost all of the pressure. This done of course when engine is cold. That does not make sense to me as why would compression test show nothing/0 but than it would "pass/do ok" on a leak down test?

Can't see it being a burnt valve as why would it had 75lbs prior to headgasket replacement and 0 now?
When replaced timing belt turned over by hand (clockwise 2 revolutions)and didn't feel valve/cylinder interference so I don't see why it would be a bent valve either.

Could timing be off a tooth cause just one cylinder to have zero compression while the others be OK?

While turning over by hand and watching the cam it doesn't appear there is a stuck valve as I think they all move up and down with the camshaft lobes.

3 Replies

BLANDRY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I have a very similar problem.
#1 cylinder had a compression of 30 (2, 3, 4 were at 130+-) Bad Valve. So I pulled the head, cleaned & checked it, installed new valve (exhaust), lapped all valves, reinstalled head (checking timing marks for cams and crank)and I get compression of 0, 0,120, 0. I figure valve haven't seated, so I removed the cams, gently tap valves (except #3) to seat, reassemble, and now I get compression of 0, 0, 0, 0. Are the timing marks accurate? Did you get the problem solved?

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Thursday, March 31st, 2011 AT 3:58 PM

MERCURY996

MEMBER
2 POSTS

As it turns out the cylinder rings were leaking some and the timing was off a tooth. After my exp I would suggest checking the timing although I have not checked to see if there timing marks are in fact accurate.

Not the biggest problem though as the mechanic found that there were some electrical errors that were causing most of the problems. These cars are a pain and I wish you the best of luck! Please post a followup if you find the cause. Maybe we can save someone else a headache.

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Thursday, March 31st, 2011 AT 4:16 PM

BLANDRY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Well I figured it out and my Rio is running better than new with compression of 150+ in each cylinder. It was those hydraulic lifters. They were filled with old oil and varnish so they seized up, which means that as you reinstall the cams the lifters don't compress and causes the valves not to seat (or remain open) letting all your pressure escape. I removed all the lifters and cleaned them (brake cleaner and then a varisol bath), I then drained them by compressing them and forcing any solvant out the oil port. They should compress easily with thumb pressure, but to free some of them up I had to use a "C" clamp to get the action working again. Dry them and submerge in a clean oil bath, work them in the oil to fill them. Insert back into head and reinstall cams, set timing then roll the engine using the starter (Fuel pump relay removed, don't need gas flying about). Do compression tests, it may take a few rotations but you'll see the compression comes up. Hope this helps someone else out there. I like the car but the dealer service is a joke and I really hate that you can't get a manual for this thing.

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Tuesday, April 19th, 2011 AT 3:22 PM