1993 Saturn SL2 compression

1993 SATURN SL2
18,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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RMONTES
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  • 1 POST
My car was running rough for about a year, bad vibration. Recently, on a very cold day it wouldn't start. It tried to turn over but after a couple tries it just started spinning out. Got a new battery, a new starter, even another engine. Oh and a new timing chain assembly. Got it all together and there is absolutely no compression. there wasn't in the old engine either.
The head gasket isn't cracked nor is the piston ring. The cylinders are in good condition. What else is there?
Feb 22, 2009 at 1:03 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 110,190 POSTS
Hi:
The only things that can cause 0 compression is if the valves are stuck open, timing, or the tops of the pistons are burnt through. Even a bad head gasket or bad rings would produce low compression. If you remove the valve cover, is the cam turning and the valves closing? If you remove the plugs, are the pistons coming to top dead center? When you replaced the timing chain, are you sure it was in time?

Joe
Feb 22, 2009 at 2:03 PM
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