I just purchased a 94 civic ex with 133,000 miles on it. I knew when I bought it that it had engine problems, had to take it home on a car dolly. I figured at the most I'd have to replace the engine, but I'm hoping to fix what is wrong with this engine.

The owner of the car said he was driving the car and the oil light came on, he stopped and checked the oil and it was fine. He kept on driving and 10 minutes later the car died on him, this was the last time the car was running.

I pulled the spark plugs and tried to start the engine to see if the spark plugs were firing. The ignition system seems to be fine. I was also curious to see if the timing belt was fine, so I pulled the valve cover. There was a lot of build up on the head, poor maintenance I assume, but the timing belt appeared to be fine. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge at the moment or I'd check that. I'm just wondering what else it could be...

 

need to check compression.

 

Crank the car and pull a spark plug and smell for gas.

 

I definitely smell gas.

Bought a compression tester. From passenger side to driver side: 152, 149, 0, 148

 

OH theres your problem then that answers that

 

Shouldn't it still start? It doesn't even act like it's trying to start.

I'm hoping it is a valve or the gasket.

 

wow i'd say check for a sticking valve or something. got any pix of the gunked up head? j/w

 

no point in going any further with that big Goose egg on cyl 3.....
pull that motor out, man.
rebuild it with a vitara setup, boost it, tune it.......
GO SINGLE SLAMS!!!

 

Here they are,

 

^^^ just wow

 

Well I started to remove the head, removed the exhaust, started unbolting the head. I couldn't get the top timing cover off, got the right bolt off but the left was recessed, maybe they used a non factory bolt. Power steering is really in the way. I had drained the coolant and oil.

Did all this then noticed this:

 

yeah that sucks, d's are super cheap though

 

yeah about that...