1998 Saturn SL2 timing

SONORAHIKER

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1998 SATURN SL2

1998 Saturn SL2 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive 193000 miles

will the timing jumping a tooth on the cam make the compression different in each cylinder

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010 AT 10:33 PM

7 Replies

SATURNTECH9

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30,870 POSTS

If you effect a cam that can effect all the cylinder's but one tooth shouldn't effect the compression on all four cylinder's. What is your compression for 1 2 3 4?Also what is the problem you are having?

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Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 12:15 AM

SONORAHIKER

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We have a car that readsin compression 125 -1-2-3 #4is 170 we cant get the car to run only when we floor the gas pedal does it want to do anything does any of the sensors make it notwant to start or dsoes the compression have something to do with it we just got the car from a kid who said it lost power on a hill and then died

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Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 8:48 AM

SATURNTECH9

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Min compression to run is 170psi so the other 3 that are at 125 psi aren't going to run at all. Most likely your looking at a valve issue. Have you popped off the valve cover and checked the cam timing yet?Because you mention something about being off one tooth.

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Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 12:08 PM

SONORAHIKER

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Do you have to take the harmonic balancer off to check the mark on the bottom I was assumeing it jump timing so it might be the valves thanx for the info ill be in touch with the diagnose on the timing tonight

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Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 12:15 PM

SATURNTECH9

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Line up the the hole's in the cam sprocket's when there lined up correctly you will be able to put a 3/16" drill bit threw the hole in the cam and into the hole behind in the head.AS far as bottom mark goes on the crank sprocket you can't see those mark's without taking the front cover off.Line up the mark's on the front cover and the crank pulley.Don't worry about the colored link's that is for setting the timing when you replace the chain or put the chain back on.You could have some bent valve's causing the low compression.