No compression

Tiny
VADICK
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 HONDA DEL SOL
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 215,793 MILES
In the end of November 2016, my vehicle overheated and I stopped about one mile later. After it cooled down some, I tried to restart it to no avail. I had it towed to a repair shop where they replaced the radiator, thermostat and hoses. I used it a few times over the next couple of weeks and it appeared to run fine.

This occurred in Florida. I then flew back to New York. When I returned about a month later, again the car would not start even with a boost. I came down a few more time since, but never had the time to get it to the shop, so it just sat for a year.

A couple of days ago, back in Florida again, I had it towed to the same repair shop. Their first diagnosis was that there was no spark so they needed to change the distributor. Later that day they called back saying there was bad news: no compression in any cylinder, which meant I needed an engine. I was also asked if it stopped while driving. When I gave the scenario described above, the mechanic said "that is perplexing". He said it must have been damaged from the overheating a year ago. He had no answer as to how it ran perfectly for a couple of weeks after they repaired it (actually forty five miles) and then just sat and the engine suddenly has no compression. Furthermore, I asked if perhaps it was the head gasket and he said definitely not.

I am writing to you because everything I have read about 'no compression in all cylinders' seems to focus on it occurring right after overheating.

He is still trying to locate either a used or rebuilt engine for me, but now he says that I also need a new fuel pump. How can the distributor, engine and fuel pump all go at the same time?

Do you think I should have it towed somewhere else to get a second opinion?
Thursday, January 25th, 2018 AT 8:29 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
You need to do a wet compression test, this is done with a small amount of oil in the cylinder as it is being tested. This will seal up the top ring and if the comes go up the problem will be rings. With overheating the rings can loose tension and this is a common problem causing loss of compression after over heating, for it to run well first up is a bit of a mystery, but I would do the compression test to prove that the rings have failed first, and if that is the case, you will be up for a replacement or a re build engine.
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 3:26 AM

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