i recently purchased a used 1999 Honda Civic EX and took it to an mechanic who said that he thinks it needs a new motor. He said that the 2nd cylinder has NO compression. I took it to the shop because like i said it was a used car i had just purchased and although it starts right up it frequently cuts off while driving, but will start back up immediately. Would this be cause to get a new engine? The engine has 184,000 miles on it.

 

Wrong forum.

 

If #2 really has no compression, then yes, it might be cause for a new engine. It means that something has failed badly on that cylinder.

He's probably saying that because used d16y8 engines (which is what is in your 99EX) are a dime a dozen. I see them in reasonable condition on hondamarketplace for a few hundred dollars.

As far as actual causes for your problem: It could be all kinds of things, none of which are good. Anything from a burned valve to a hole in the block, or a bent rod, broken piston, or similar. Generally though, major piston/rod/block problems will run worse than you're describing. I think it's likely more of a valvetrain thing, but there's no way to tell for sure without pulling the head off and looking at things, and possibly doing a leakdown test.

Long story short, it's likely cheaper in the long run to swap in a decent used engine than to chase down a diagnosis.

 

piston ring?

 

Thank you so much!!!

 

If it were as serious as some say, it would be rattling or smoking badly.

My guess is a stuck or burned valve, burned would reduce the compression a lot but not to 0.
Stuck valve would be 0.

check em out first before taking it to pieces.

 

If only we all had borescopes. Just stick a little camera inside the spark plug hole and look around.

You could make a tool using an old spark plug, an air fitting and some JB Weld or a welder. Connect the two and use it to blow air into the cylinder. Then you could turn the motor so both sets of valves are (or should be) closed and see where the air comes out.