Engine problem.

[progman]

My engine lost power on the highway yesterday. It felt like a boost leak. I couldn't go above ~-5 psi. My oil pressure was fine and my vacuum was normal (~19psi) at idle. I checked my piping and it looked good. Then I realized that my car sounded like a Harley which means a cylinder isn't firing. I checked and at the least number three wasn't. I've read so many bad things about cylinder number three on here!

I limped home and I heard some weird noises. like a piece of metal was in my engine. When I listened to it at home it was hard to hear but you can hear some metal scrapping I think and every once in awhile a ping noise. I changed my spark plugs and did a compression test. I had never done one before but I got 150 140 125 130. that sounds bad to me.

<EDIT>I did the compression test with the throttle closed and with the fuel pump + injectors on while the car was cold. --I'm going to read more into doing the test correctly and redo it.

I'm also going to try putting oil in number three and four.</EDIT>

One of the plugs was damaged. The thing in the center was broken and it can move around. This plug was from cylinder three.

pics:







After the new plugs no more misfire but something is wrong. It sounds weird and stalled three times going around the block. When it starts to stall it's like my gas petal doesn't do anything. I have between -10 and 0 vacuum and it bounces around in there then dies. I can start it again and it will run at like 400 rpm and i can give it some gas to make it go for a little.

The only other things that was wrong with my car was that the clutch line got a lot of air in it. I have to pump it up to be able to shift gears sometimes. This has been going on few a few days. I should have the new parts for that on the 23rd...

'm not sure what else to check to find out whats wrong. Can someone please offer me some advice?

ThanksBen

Modified by progman at 9:42 PM 2/22/2007

Modified by progman at 9:43 PM 2/22/2007
Modified by progman at 12:54 AM 2/23/2007

[r34 gtr]

i would be worried about that compression test. those numbers are very low in the #3 and 4 cylinders. try doing it warm (if you can) and put some oil in there and see if it helps. something went wrong. that pretty low vacuum too. i would def. check for leaks, and maybe check and make sure the back the the HG is not blown/leaking or something. also, bosch plugs are terrible. ive had several break like that before i evev got them on a car!

[float_6969]

Use NGK plugs.

The compression on that 3rd cylnder doesn't look good. The link for the FSM works now. It's in the FAQ. DL the FSM if you don't have it already and follow the procedure for doing a compression test.

IMHO, from what you've told us so far, I think you've got some issues with the 3rd cylnder....

[Indecisive]

you have to do the test with the fuel pump off and no fuel pressure.

The FSM says to open up the throttle plate, I don't know if you HAVE to do this though...

[boost_boy]

Some very friendly and experienced advice, don't ever put or use Bosch plugs on the CA. This isn't the fist time I've seen the porcelain letting go.

Dee

[float_6969]

I wonder if Bosch could be held responsible for the engine damage?

[r34 gtr]

doubt it. they are a massive company and probably will crush you with a lawyer that costs more that you will make your whole life.

[Masterdebater]

2 of those plugs look drenched in oil...were those the 3 and 4 plugs?

[progman]

No, there was some oil in the spark plug troff thing, i think it leaked from the valve cover. just a little. It was the first two i think.

[progman]

Re did compression test, once without oil then with some oil in it. I did it with no fuel. no pump no injectors and with the car warm and throttle open.

reg. w/oil #4 143 165#3 147 153#2 165 180#1 140 150

car ran fine for a few minutes then started running like ****. I think it ran fine for awhile because of the oil.

[r34 gtr]

waay better than last time. they are still a little low, but nothing to make me think you blew the HG or something. looks like the rings maight be a little tired, although those numbers are a little irregular after the oil. and the #2 cyl. looks fantastic!

[progman]

I can now hear a valve ticking when the car is running. My friend thought it sounded like a value too.

I'd love to have semone shed some light on this. You guys are really good with this motor and probably know whats wrong. If I can't figure this out I'm going to take the head off anyways. I sort of hope the problem is in the top end.

Does it make sense that the oil I put in would have helped the valves seal and thats why it ran great for awhile?

also judging from the compression test that I did do you think I need to do a rebuild of the bottem?

Thanks for your help.

btw the way I pulled my codes just in case. it was 55.