1996 Chevy Cavalier car wont start has no compression

Tiny
SCP1962
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Engine Mechanical problem
1996 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

my sons car made a noise one day like it backfired then died it wouldnt start so we got a timing tensioner replaced now it has no compression
it was runing fine before this happened please help. Thanks
Monday, September 6th, 2010 AT 4:13 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Are you sure the timing belt was installed correctly? Is there 0 psi compression in all cylenders?
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Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
SCP1962
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Well my brother in law did the work on it he hasnt put all the pulley and belts back on it yet or even the air filter and hoses he says only one cylinder has no compression I tried to tell him to put everything back on he also has the valve cover off it too.
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Thursday, September 9th, 2010 AT 9:33 AM
Tiny
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Has he put the timing belt back on?
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Thursday, September 9th, 2010 AT 10:48 PM
Tiny
SCP1962
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N he did not put the timing belt back on he has not put any of the belts or the pulleys they go one either and the alternator is not on either
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Friday, September 10th, 2010 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
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Did he check compression with the belt off? If so, that is why you have a dead cylender. One of the valves is most likely open.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, September 10th, 2010 AT 11:45 PM
Tiny
SCP1962
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Yes he checked the compression with the timing belt off and thank you.
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Saturday, September 11th, 2010 AT 11:40 AM
Tiny
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That will do it. Let me know if everything is back to normal when you get it back together.

Joe
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Sunday, September 12th, 2010 AT 10:52 PM
Tiny
SCP1962
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Everything is back on it and it is all together but it wont start it makes a plain like whinning sound not the usual sound it should make before it would start and it still has no compression. So we dont know what is wrong.
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Monday, September 13th, 2010 AT 11:40 AM
Tiny
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Recheck timing. It sounds like it wasn't timed correctly. If it was (and I don't think it was based on your description) then I need a compression test done and need to know the numbers you get.

NOTE: If it sounds like there is no compression (one steady sound when the starter engages) my guess is that the timing is still wrong. As before, you only said one dead cylender. Now it sounds like the all are dead.
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Monday, September 13th, 2010 AT 12:58 PM
Tiny
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Ok thank you. We will get it check again by someone else this time
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Monday, September 13th, 2010 AT 4:17 PM
Tiny
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Let me know what you find. Remember, you had low or no compression in one cylender before. Now the belt is on, it sounds like you have none in any of the cylenders. That is why I feel it is on wrong.
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Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 AT 7:05 AM
Tiny
SCP1962
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We cant get the timing set right can you tell use how to set the timing on a 2.2L motor?
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Thursday, September 16th, 2010 AT 8:09 PM
Tiny
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Here is what I found. Let me know if it helps or if you have something different. It's for a 2.2L cavalier.


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/249084_5_69.jpg

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Friday, September 17th, 2010 AT 7:32 AM
Tiny
SCP1962
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Okay we have the timing set like the diagram and now it backfires and wont start
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Friday, September 17th, 2010 AT 12:21 PM
Tiny
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Are you sure the plug wires are on the correct cylenders? Are you sure you are not off one tooth on the timing?
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Friday, September 17th, 2010 AT 1:45 PM
Tiny
SCP1962
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The timing looks set right on the marks and the spark plug cables are on the correct cylinders we dont know what is wrong now.
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Friday, September 17th, 2010 AT 1:57 PM
Tiny
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If it is backfiring, either the timing is still off even one tooth, the plug wires are wrong, or you have a burnt valve. If you check compression now, are they all good? Don't laugh, but is there any way you could upload a video of what it is doing so I can hear it? I realize that is a lot to ask, but it would help me help you.

Let me know.

Joe

PS: Please recheck the spark plug wires and let me know if it is backfiring from the intake or exhaust.
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Friday, September 17th, 2010 AT 10:00 PM

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