Hi there,
I have an 01 Saturn SL2 that has a Cylinder 4 misfire with 0 compression. I've done everything I possible can to fix the issue (replaced 4th fuel injector, o-rings, cleaned fuel rail, tested the fuel injector plug [it works]), other 3 cylinders have lower compression than what they're "supposed" to have according to factory specs.
A while back ago it was under recall for worn piston rings (surprise GM product quality 🙄).
Originally I was driving 70 on the highway and it suddenly lost power (I was thinking oh the cat is clogged?) I couldn't get above 60MPH, started idling really rough but drove fine so I drove it back home and then that's when I started doing all the testing...
Basically my question is:
Is this engine done? Could it be the worn out piston rings just need to be replaced? It also burns oil (is that from the piston rings?).
Would the piston rings being worn cause the compression issues?
Sorry if this is all over the placed, can't structure the thoughts.
If I were to rebuild this engine, what exactly would I have to replace?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Back in the 70s, this situation would usually warrant a rings and rod bearings job and that would do it. Today is a different story. Unfortunately, a 20 year old Saturn has all the value of a Joe Biden promise.Â
Your engine is currently on life support. If you were to get that engine rebuilt- you need to send that to an expert who knows how to rebuild engines correctly. Or if you want, you could check a junk yard to see if there is a replacement engine if you don't feel like getting it rebuilt but you would also would have to get a compression test on that junk yard engine. The final option is to junk the car if the prices for junk yard engine/engine rebuild is too high.
It's not a '49 Hudson, you can't get away with just doing a ring job on it. Everything on that engine will be worn. It needs a complete rebuild, and that's not going to be worth it on a 20-year-old Saturn.
