Re: Bad news from my compression test I think....how can car STILL refuse to start?

Posted by N.C.23rdPackard On 2012/9/8 20:37:55

Put a straw or something down the sparkplug hole. As you turn the engine the straw will move with the piston. When it stops rising your piston is at the top of the stroke.


When the compression tester told me 0 on #1 then #2 same thing, I was wondering if my gauge is worth a damn cause I have never seen a motor (that ran when parked two weeks ago) have ZERO compression, then scratching my head on that one I went to check the timing, for one there are no marks that I can see, so I have my son crank it so I can get number one up top and I don't feel nada so I stick a screw driver it it and it is right there like one centimeter from top so I have him bump it and still at the top! So then I am thinking broken timing chain, so I pop off the cap and hit it again and it is rotating just fine. Then, and THIS is what worries me cause I have no way to explain it,..I took out ALL the plugs and put a screwdriver in each hole and they are ALL at the top like that!!! AT THE SAME TIME! They don't move when cranking the motor! So that can't be the pistons it must be the valves right or no? Are they supposed to be right there like that or are they ALL stuck!? Since they are there how do I know when the #1piston it up, if I can't poke it with a straw or a wire? Thanks again all!