I bought a 1991 crx si. When I first started it sounded like the timing belt was spinning fast. so i thought that the timing belt was broken. well i figured out it was brand new. I checked the spark plugs and they were drenched in oil. So I went to autozone and purchased new spark plugs and I also rented a compression tester. I used the compression tester on the motor and it didn't even make the bar nudge it was giving out 0 compression. So am I dealing with bent valves? I figured even with bent valves I would at least get a tad bit of compression.

 

valves or headgasket too

 

If you started it then your compression can not be 0. Now if you tried to start it and it just sounded like the engine was spinning over fast then i would check the head gasket and valves, or pistons.

 

my bad yeah I tried to start it. If it was the head gasket it would still give compression? If its the valves should I just purchase a junk motor from the junk yard?

 

Please describe the procedure you followed when you ran the compression test.

If it was the head gasket, it might still give you compression depending on how badly it is damaged (that is if it even is damaged). It could also be bad rings, or a stuck valve. When was the last time you adjusted your valves? I wouldn't go about swapping my motor until I knew exactly what the problem was. Valves are pretty simple to replace IMO.

 

Ive never adjusted the valves on this car. I was going to buy it yesterday I just had to get it started. I tried the compression test and it didn't even move the bar. I had some one floor it and still nothing. The engine isn't giving off any compression. Yeah the rings are most likely bad thats why its leaking or... the valves broke. At this point not even one valve works in the car.. engine is dead.... maybe.... i just need to fix the oil problem and it could be a different reason why the engine wont start?

also... every time i try to start... it always sounds like the timing belt is broken.. its spinning to fast.


What could cause no compression besides valves being broke?

 

A crank/no start is one of the most challenging problems for an automotive technician to diagnose because there are so many factors that can prevent a car from starting.

I really have a feeling that you might be doing the compression test incorrectly. Are you getting zero pressure in all 4 cylinders? If so, I'm pretty sure you're doing something wrong. Usually a bent valve or blown head gasket will only have low readings across at most 2 cylinders. That means you should have at least 2 good (or at least semi-good) cylinders. And how can your timing belt be spinning fast if the motor isn't running? If your timing belt was broken, you would know. Have you looked at the timing belt? Is it cracked, frayed, etc.? Have you tensioned the timing belt? Have you set it to TDC?

I asked you to describe the procedure you followed when conducting the compression test to ensure you are doing it properly. i.e. did you block the throttle open, remove only 1 spark plug at a time, disconnect the distributor and plug wires, disable fuel system, use the correct size threading for your compression gauge, did you close the pressure relief valve on the compression gauge before you ran the test, were you looking at the gauge while the engine was cranking, etc. etc.