Finally I got rid of the hard to starting problem.

[Ryan Heo]

I'v been suffered from the hard staring problem for several month ago.Finally the car was dead on the last saturday after I had a party.So it was tow to the repair shop where the car had been repaired 3 month ago. Anyway this is the labor decription. I hope helping the other guys who has the same problem.

Hi.Finally I got rid of the problem paying $500.When the sensor was replaced by myself, it didn't change anything. But it works now...This is the labor description.Thanks for help me everything.

***Labor***CRANK NO START. -------------------- $259.00FOUND NO SPARK. SPARK PLUGS ARE GAS FOULED COMPRESSION IS LOW. REPLACED SPARK PLUGS CLEANED CYLINDERS OF FUEL ADD OIL TO BRING COMPRESSION BAKC. PIN POINT TESTING FOUND CRANK SENSOR AT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD, REPLACED CARNK SENSOR AND VEHICLE STARTED.

CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR - Remove&Replace ..............$37.00

***Parts***CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR .......... $131.56SPARK PLUG ..................................... $53.76SHOP SUPPLIES ................................ $ 6.00

GRAND TOTAL ,................................. $500.80.

I'm still don't that what kind of oil put in the engine to bring back compressionThanks.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Glad to hear you were finally able to solve the problem!

The fact that all they did for compression was use oil to bring it back into spec makes me wonder if there's another problem at work there, too. Techs will often use oil to help restore compression to operating specs while diagnosing a car's problems, but unless the compression issue is minor it won't necessarily solve the problem permanently.

That combined with the fact that the plugs were fouled has me wondering if that wasn't part of the problem to begin with.

Do they keep your records on file? I'd be interested to see what compression looked like before and after the oil was added.

Hopefully that'll be the end of your troubles, though.

[Ryan Heo]

Honestly I don't know about the engine much so I couldn't ask about the problem more specifically to the tech. I really want to know how to check the compression, pin point test, and how to clean the cylinder. I would like to learn about the engine but the way couldn't be shown to me. $500 for every 6 months... It makes impossible to keep the car.

Thanks.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I would get another opinion

I took my 1995 to the shop and they said the engine was expiredbut I knew better. The did a compression check etc and said thecompression was too low in one cylinder. They said to junk the carbasically.

Well I got a real mechanic on it (definitely not me) and they founda bad coil-That was it! The car has run FINE since replacing the coil.

Sound like you need somebody who knows ELECTRICAL

[MinisterofDOOM]

Honestly I don't know about the engine much so I couldn't ask about the problem more specifically to the tech. I really want to know how to check the compression, pin point test, and how to clean the cylinder. I would like to learn about the engine but the way couldn't be shown to me. $500 for every 6 months... It makes impossible to keep the car.

Thanks.

I've never done a compression test myself so I don't know the details, but it is something you can do in your driveway.You can buy self compression testers at auto parts stores. Basically, you remove one spark plug at a time and replace it with the compression tester, then you turn the motor. The compression tester will record the highest compression that cylinder produced.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I have never done it either

You will probably need some QUALITY equipment and an assistantto write down #

By quality eqt. I mean a SCREW in fitting for the spark plug holerather than a "push and hold" type tool. You really need to surfand find out HOW to do the readings so you get the right data.

I think if you squirt in oil and the compression goes up, your ringsare bad? I can't remember about how to check the valves etc.

You will compare each cylinders readings to what OEM is. I think ifa cylinder doesnt match 75% of OEM there is a problem?

I know Minister of Doom really knows

[Ryan Heo]

I will find the compressure tester first. Is the oil mentioned on the description motor oil? Or something special things?

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yeah, the oil mentioned is motor oil. And NutriaforBreakfast is correct, that it can be a sign of bad piston rings if adding oil fixes compression.

Here's the page from the FSM with compression test details.

To relieve fuel pressure (step 3) you'll need to remove the fuse for the fuel pump and remove your gas cap, then crank the for a few seconds.

[Ryan Heo]

If the piston rings are bad, can I replace the rings by myself?Thanks.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Probably not. It's pretty labor intensive and can't be done with the engine in the car. Like Nutria said, if that's the case, the engine is probably not worth saving. You could have it replaced with a used motor for less.

Hopefully it doesn't turn out to be the case, though.

[Ryan Heo]

That is the exactly what I want to know. Actually I've been saving money to replace the engine from the summer. But I spent the money to fix the problem. I'm a full-time student. The budget aways push me. I won't spend money anymore to repair the engine. When I asked to estimate the cost of replacing engine, many guys told me it would be $2000.Anyway Thanks a lot.