compression = 0 on #2 cylinder Saturn SL-2. now what?
 

I was driving home from IL last night and the car lost power. It seemed to be running on 3 cylinders. I just check my compression and

#1 is at 185
#2 is at 0
#3 is at 190
#4 is at 185

so what shall I do next? leak down test? get ready to pull the head?

Speedy:)

leakdown is an option , then you can hear the air escape via intake or exhaust, and maybe even determine which valve dropped

Or you could just take out that plug and keep on going.

I had a customer with a Honda do that back when I was wrenching on cars. The dude put a 100k on it like that.

He was not our best customer.

Somethings definately wrong, the head will have to be pulled either way. Why even bother w/ a leakdown, just take the head off.

It seems like it could be one of 3 things

head gasket
intake valve
exhaust valve

I will have to pull the head and go from there. The head has "porosity" problems according to the service tech at the Saturn dealership. I guess it is pretty common for the SL-2 to leak coolant through the porous head.

Speedy:)

If you can leak coolant through the head, why are there no exhaust gasses getting in there? That makes no damn sence to me.

Get a big drill bit and drill three more holes to even the compression out between all 4 cylinders. :D

It's a Saturn, throw it away and get another one.

I would throw it away and get another P-car but I am in my second year of Engineering School. I was hoping this car would last me through school without big trouble. The big bummer is it is -15 degrees F outside right now and have the project 948 torn apart in the single car garage. I will have to get creative in how I fix it.

I thought about just pulling the fuel injector plug out but I am sure it would mess with the fuel injection by richening the mixture.

Well best start looking for a head.

Speedy:)

You know, while you're in there, there are some pretty sweet Turbo setups for Saturns.

You know...while you're in there....

Pull the engine and install a "Vette" powerplant. I suspect the trans would have issues though.
Finding a head for the SL2 is hard, at least in my neck of the woods

One solution...Buy a Japan made car...No more engine problems...!

Perhaps just a valve spring?

You could finish the 'S'...

holy cow. Today the olds van battery died and the fuel pressure regulator was leaking as well. I fixed those items tonight but I feel like I angered the car gods somehow. I must be down on my good karma levels or something.

Speedy:)

toady,
you have a link to the turbo setups you speak of?

rick,
I don't think the LT1 engine will fit plus could you amagine the torque steer on that sucka!

Legion,
I know, I know, I should have finished the 'S' because then this wouldn't be a big issue.

I saw a 83 944 in our local paper for $1600. I started to think about dumping the Saturn and getting the more reliable 944.

**** update ******

Pulled the valve cover and everything looked OK with the valaves and springs. I called the dealership and they said they rarely have head gasket problems but have had problems with the exhaust valves blowing holes through and chipping. I unplugged the fuel injector and drove it until today. The Saturn dealership quoted over the phone $675 to do the head gasket and to replace the valve. I thought it was reasonable so I made an apointment. I took the car in this morning so they could pull the head and call me back with a damage report....

I just got a call at 6:00 pm which is when service closed. The service manager said they havn't pulled the head yet but did run a compression test. He said they got

140
0
125
140

He went on to say Saturn's low limit is 165 so the motor is shot and I need a new one. He them quoted me $3,500 for a remanufactured 1.9L I-4 . I almost died. Wen I told him the car wasn't even worth $3,500 he said it would be worth alot more with the new engine... BS!!! I asked to have them to just replace the bad valve but he said they would want to do all of them at a tune of $1000.

I am smelling a rat here! His compression number differ greatly from what I saw on my gauge in my garage and I think he is trying to soak me. (see compression figs at top of thread) It angers me soooo much I want to strangle him. I thought it was convinent he called me right at closing as if to pressure me into making a decision.

What are you guys thoughts??

Speedy:)

Have the car flatbedded to an honest mechanic.

Check if the cylinder head has been replaced by a GM dealer before. There is (or was) a 6 year warranty on the early single cam cylinder heads.
Maybe the twin-cam heads have the same problem?

I just convinced a GF to get rid of her SL2. The clutch went out. The dealer wanted a thou to do it. The car was not worth that fixed. There were no independants that would touch it. It went to a 'recent visitor to this country' and onto a flatbed trailor.

I call this particular game "dealership".

Take it to an independent. Although considering you are putting a V8 in a 944, I'd think you were capable of doing it yourself.