*SOS * No Compression!!!HELP!!
 

Oh man, I've got a problem.
Was on my way to work this morning when I heard a strange sound. Thought I threw a belt. Car wouldn't turn over.
After getting it home, I checked a few things. Here is what I found:
* when I try to start it, the fan turns so I'm pretty sure my crankshaft isn't broken, but the starter turns like it has no load on it!
* Tried popping the clutch while I was being towed, but It won't fire.
* I pulled the valve cover, and everything appears to be in order. cam turns when I try to start it. Timing chain is intact and appears to be okay.
* here is the biggie. Since it appeares there was no load on the starter, I pulled a plug and had someone try to turn it over while I held my hand over the hole. ABSOLUTELY NO compression. Felt like there was no air being pulled in or pushed out!!

HELP!!!!:confused:

Take out all the plugs and one by one put your thumb over the hole while some one turns it over. You should get enough pressure to at least blow by your thumb. A compression gage works better. You could have "jumped time" if the chain seems loose. If this happens you will have some bent valves and no compression in those cyclinders. Say AHHHHHHH shit! Time to pull the head, pan and front cover not to mention all the other stuff in the way. let us all know how you make out. Good luck

brandar77 is right it sounds like a timing chain to me. My 81 jumped time and barely got me home. I felt like I was driving a YUGO. It took a day to replace it now it is running fine. I luckily did not hurt the Valve train.
Good luck.

well, the timing chain is tight, but I'll check the compression in each cylinder anyway. Going to pull the head next weekend. Thanks, for your input guys.

Brandon Mendenhall

? Have you got Juice?
 

If it won't turn over, is your battery low or down? You car has an alternator, so it won't bump start like an old VW with a generator!

Check and see if you have good spark, for the starter, coil, sparkplugs, etc.

If you have juice, and the motor turns over, check the spark at the spark plugs, you may still have weak spark. Some of the newer cars need at least 11.9 volts to operate all of their electrical components to make the motor run.

If you have juice, spark, and the motor turns over, but you still lack compression, it may be a head gasket, or valve. You would almost need low oil pressure to allow the chain to jump timing on the cam or crank.

Hope this gives you some ideas. Check out your electrical first, before tearing the head off!

Speed:D