I NEED COMPRESSION HELP

87mr2aw11 · 01-05-2008, 02:28 PM

i bought an 87' mr2 a year and a half ago as a project car to learn on, fell in love with the car. I recently found out i had two bent exhaust valves in the no. 1 cylinder. i took the head off replaced the valve stem seals, and the two bent valves. Just got everything back together, (all new gaskets + head bolts) unpluged the efi relay sprayed starting fluid in the intake manifold with the throttle body open, and tried to start the car, engine turned over but did not start at all.
So i tried to do a compression test screwed the tool where the spark plug goes cranked the engine over with a socket wrench by hand and watched the compression gauge. The gauge barely started to move and then i hear the air leak out somewhere. i am about to give up I NEED HELP

MX450248 · 01-05-2008, 04:47 PM

the engine needs to be spinning faster than what you can get i to go with your socket. Follow these steps:

1. Take your spark plugs out, all of them
2. Put the compresion tester in one of the cylinders
3. Crank the car over with the ignition for about 10 revolutions (you can count them, thier obvious) at WIDE OPEN THROTTLE.
4. check the compresion of that cylinder and write it down, do them all in order from left to right or right to left, whatever you prefer.
5. repeat steps 2 and 3 for the other 3 cylinders, then lets us know what the compresion readings are

the air leaking you heard was the compresion leaking past the rings cause you werent cranking it fast enough

CpuZapper · 01-06-2008, 12:32 AM

Great info MX450248! Thanks!

87mr2aw11 · 01-06-2008, 02:58 PM

i checked for spark a little whille ago. (pulled the plug wire out, connected a spark plug to each plug wire, grounded the plug to the body or motor and crank the engine over to see if the spark plug sparks). Each spark plug wire and spark plug sparked. Maybe there could possibly not be enough spark? I am still learning i have learned a lot and then again i don't know that much. The wiring harness is plugged in correctly and the timing is correct, except for the distributor, with the engine at TDC on the compression stroke i lined two dimples up on the distributor like you are supposed to do but the tooth on the exhaust camshaft gets in the way so have to wiggle it a litttle to get it to slide in so the distributor might be off one tooth, but i would think it would still hear it trying to start.

Also i had drained the old gas from the plug on the bottom of the tank til it was empty. then last night i put 2 gallons of premium in the tank, tried to start it again and nothing. It turns over but that's it. and yes i put the EFI relay back in first

I am about to go back outside and do the compression check again and post the readings
THANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK I APPRECIATE IT

MX450248 · 01-06-2008, 04:32 PM

Even if the distributor was 1 tooth off the car would start, it would run like @#$%, but it would start. I would say you have a fuel problem, unless all of your pistons have a gaping hole in them!!

Yeah, do the compression check and let us know what the readings are.

Also, how old of gas did you drain out? If it was really old then you could have a plugged fuel filter not letting the injectors get fuel.

87mr2aw11 · 01-06-2008, 06:29 PM

I changed out the fuel filter today and now it sounds a little better(a little, i can hear pulsing sounds from the exhaust now). I did the compression test as well but i forgot to have the throttle open so i will do it again tomorow and post the readings again, anyways hear are the readings i got.

cylinder: 1 2 3 4
psi 145 90 55 90

the cylinder i replaced the exhaust valves in has the most compression i don't know if that means anything
Also i did not take the head to a machine shop, i did not think it was needed since i am pretty sure the car not running has nothing to do with overheating so i don't think the head is warped and i was only planning driving the car for 6 months or so and then doing the supercharged engine swap but now i am leaning towards a 3sgte engine swap but still debating. I don't ever plan on selling my mr2 and plan on dumping all my money into it.

But now i need to get my mr2 running because my daily driver (92 eclipse gs automatic) just had the transmission go out on it a couple of months ago.

MX450248 · 01-06-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87mr2aw11

I changed out the fuel filter today and now it sounds a little better(a little, i can hear pulsing sounds from the exhaust now). I did the compression test as well but i forgot to have the throttle open so i will do it again tomorow and post the readings again, anyways hear are the readings i got.

cylinder: 1 2 3 4
psi 145 90 55 90

the cylinder i replaced the exhaust valves in has the most compression i don't know if that means anything
Also i did not take the head to a machine shop, i did not think it was needed since i am pretty sure the car not running has nothing to do with overheating so i don't think the head is warped and i was only planning driving the car for 6 months or so and then doing the supercharged engine swap but now i am leaning towards a 3sgte engine swap but still debating. I don't ever plan on selling my mr2 and plan on dumping all my money into it.

But now i need to get my mr2 running because my daily driver (92 eclipse gs automatic) just had the transmission go out on it a couple of months ago.

OH @#$%!!! All of the cylinders should be around the 145 you got from the first one. You definatly have a major problem somewhere. You said it overheated, this can warp the head, bend valves, drop seats, and a host of other things. Seeing as the one cylinder with the 145 compression is the one that you got the valves replaced, I would venture to say that you are gonna need to do the same thing to all of the other valves in the head (at least).

If this where my engine, I would send the head to these guys, Cylinder Heads International - Quailty Rebuilt Cylinder Heads in Texas. I sent them my 3sgte head when I rebuild my engine and it came back completely rebuilt, magna-fluxed and all. They are very resonable on price and got my head back to me ONLY ONE WEEK AFTER I SENT IT TO THEM!!! I highly recommend you send it to them, you wont be disapointed.

87mr2aw11 · 01-07-2008, 08:41 AM

yup this really really sucks
all that work for nothing at least i learned a lot
but no i don't think the engine overheated is what i meant to say
back to square one
thanks for the advice i called them up and it sounds good

MX450248 · 01-07-2008, 09:22 AM

No problem. Let us know what they say about your head. Like what all needed to be done and stuff.

87mr2aw11 · 01-10-2008, 11:58 AM

changed my mind
actually i am planning on doing the sc swap in a couple months (researching)unless i buy a used sc head that i found built up with all performance parts + port and polish that i found for $150 but not sure what condition it is in still debating.......
i keep taking to many chances lol

MX450248 · 01-10-2008, 01:01 PM

Well, weigh your options. Is this your daily driver? If not, I would park it until you get what you want. If you keep getting parts that are just gonna "get you by", then that is all that is gonna happen, you will just get by and it will take you longer to get to your goal of an sc swap. Trust me, if this isnt your daily driver, you will be glad that you waited if you do. You will be able to get what you want faster and it wont cost you as much money in the long run.

But, on the other hand if this is your daily driver, then you have a decision to make. 1)Get a head that you know will work or 2) roll the dice on a head that was not designed for your car.

01-05-2008, 02:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
87mr2aw11 ACE Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: sarasota, florida Posts: 22 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I NEED COMPRESSION HELP i bought an 87' mr2 a year and a half ago as a project car to learn on, fell in love with the car. I recently found out i had two bent exhaust valves in the no. 1 cylinder. i took the head off replaced the valve stem seals, and the two bent valves. Just got everything back together, (all new gaskets + head bolts) unpluged the efi relay sprayed starting fluid in the intake manifold with the throttle body open, and tried to start the car, engine turned over but did not start at all. So i tried to do a compression test screwed the tool where the spark plug goes cranked the engine over with a socket wrench by hand and watched the compression gauge. The gauge barely started to move and then i hear the air leak out somewhere. i am about to give up I NEED HELP Last edited by 87mr2aw11; 01-06-2008 at 07:12 PM..

01-05-2008, 04:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
MX450248 Your Resident Welder Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 530 Thanks: 22 Thanked 21 Times in 19 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	the engine needs to be spinning faster than what you can get i to go with your socket. Follow these steps: 1. Take your spark plugs out, all of them 2. Put the compresion tester in one of the cylinders 3. Crank the car over with the ignition for about 10 revolutions (you can count them, thier obvious) at WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. 4. check the compresion of that cylinder and write it down, do them all in order from left to right or right to left, whatever you prefer. 5. repeat steps 2 and 3 for the other 3 cylinders, then lets us know what the compresion readings are the air leaking you heard was the compresion leaking past the rings cause you werent cranking it fast enough Last edited by MX450248; 01-05-2008 at 08:19 PM..

01-06-2008, 06:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
87mr2aw11 ACE Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: sarasota, florida Posts: 22 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I changed out the fuel filter today and now it sounds a little better(a little, i can hear pulsing sounds from the exhaust now). I did the compression test as well but i forgot to have the throttle open so i will do it again tomorow and post the readings again, anyways hear are the readings i got. cylinder: 1 2 3 4 psi 145 90 55 90 the cylinder i replaced the exhaust valves in has the most compression i don't know if that means anything Also i did not take the head to a machine shop, i did not think it was needed since i am pretty sure the car not running has nothing to do with overheating so i don't think the head is warped and i was only planning driving the car for 6 months or so and then doing the supercharged engine swap but now i am leaning towards a 3sgte engine swap but still debating. I don't ever plan on selling my mr2 and plan on dumping all my money into it. But now i need to get my mr2 running because my daily driver (92 eclipse gs automatic) just had the transmission go out on it a couple of months ago. Last edited by 87mr2aw11; 01-06-2008 at 07:23 PM..

01-07-2008, 08:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
87mr2aw11 ACE Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: sarasota, florida Posts: 22 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	yup this really really sucks all that work for nothing at least i learned a lot but no i don't think the engine overheated is what i meant to say back to square one thanks for the advice i called them up and it sounds good Last edited by 87mr2aw11; 01-07-2008 at 08:55 AM..

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01-06-2008, 12:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
CpuZapper RallyRacer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 482 Thanks: 7 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Great info MX450248! Thanks!

01-06-2008, 02:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
87mr2aw11 ACE Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: sarasota, florida Posts: 22 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	i checked for spark a little whille ago. (pulled the plug wire out, connected a spark plug to each plug wire, grounded the plug to the body or motor and crank the engine over to see if the spark plug sparks). Each spark plug wire and spark plug sparked. Maybe there could possibly not be enough spark? I am still learning i have learned a lot and then again i don't know that much. The wiring harness is plugged in correctly and the timing is correct, except for the distributor, with the engine at TDC on the compression stroke i lined two dimples up on the distributor like you are supposed to do but the tooth on the exhaust camshaft gets in the way so have to wiggle it a litttle to get it to slide in so the distributor might be off one tooth, but i would think it would still hear it trying to start. Also i had drained the old gas from the plug on the bottom of the tank til it was empty. then last night i put 2 gallons of premium in the tank, tried to start it again and nothing. It turns over but that's it. and yes i put the EFI relay back in first I am about to go back outside and do the compression check again and post the readings THANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK I APPRECIATE IT

01-06-2008, 04:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
MX450248 Your Resident Welder Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 530 Thanks: 22 Thanked 21 Times in 19 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Even if the distributor was 1 tooth off the car would start, it would run like @#$%, but it would start. I would say you have a fuel problem, unless all of your pistons have a gaping hole in them!! Yeah, do the compression check and let us know what the readings are. Also, how old of gas did you drain out? If it was really old then you could have a plugged fuel filter not letting the injectors get fuel.

01-07-2008, 09:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
MX450248 Your Resident Welder Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 530 Thanks: 22 Thanked 21 Times in 19 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	No problem. Let us know what they say about your head. Like what all needed to be done and stuff.

01-10-2008, 11:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
87mr2aw11 ACE Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: sarasota, florida Posts: 22 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	changed my mind actually i am planning on doing the sc swap in a couple months (researching)unless i buy a used sc head that i found built up with all performance parts + port and polish that i found for $150 but not sure what condition it is in still debating....... i keep taking to many chances lol

01-10-2008, 01:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
MX450248 Your Resident Welder Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 530 Thanks: 22 Thanked 21 Times in 19 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Well, weigh your options. Is this your daily driver? If not, I would park it until you get what you want. If you keep getting parts that are just gonna "get you by", then that is all that is gonna happen, you will just get by and it will take you longer to get to your goal of an sc swap. Trust me, if this isnt your daily driver, you will be glad that you waited if you do. You will be able to get what you want faster and it wont cost you as much money in the long run. But, on the other hand if this is your daily driver, then you have a decision to make. 1)Get a head that you know will work or 2) roll the dice on a head that was not designed for your car.