1995 Chevy Cavalier Rough Running 2.2L

Tiny
DOEBERT
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 106,000 MILES
Hard to start, rough idle, then idles fine after a few minutes, runs rough when a load is put on engine. No check engine light or codes, no smoke from exhaust, no vacuum leaks. New, plugs, wires, gas filter, fresh gas with injector cleaner.
Plugs are all a nice tan color as should be & pulled each wire one at a time while running to check for cylinder misfire.
result engine ran worse with each wire removed, so all cylinders are firing.
Did a fuel pressure test:
result was 36psi with no leak done.
Did a compression test:
#1 90psi
#2 95psi
#3 90psi
#4 90psi
Friday, October 22nd, 2010 AT 4:25 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Those compression readings are way too low. You could have a timing chain issue that should be check out.
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Friday, October 22nd, 2010 AT 6:53 AM
Tiny
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Is there any way to check the timing, besides tearing the motor down?
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Friday, October 22nd, 2010 AT 4:20 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
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Taking a compression test is the only thing and your already there so it's time to tear it down.

There are other things it can be but most all are terminal so all you can do is hope for it to be a chain, assuming you took the compression test correctly.
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Friday, October 22nd, 2010 AT 4:28 PM
Tiny
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I tore it done to the point of removing the timing chain cover. Timing chain, tensioner, look good & timing marks look good. What is the chance the head gasket is bad & leaking between the cylinders? If the rings were bad wouldn't it burn oil? If the valves were bad why would it have low compression in all cylinders?
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Sunday, October 24th, 2010 AT 6:14 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
The head gasket iis not real likely to give you low compression on ALL cylinders at once. You can do another compression test and squirt some oil in the cylinders first to find out if the rings are to blame. Your venturing into areas that you have no experience in and it really needs to be examined by a professional.
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Sunday, October 24th, 2010 AT 7:46 AM

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