Well my timing belt broke running about 60mph and now after replacing the water pump and timing belt I have zero compression on cylinder 3. The other 3 have compression ranging from 160 to 180. What should I do? The car is in amazing condition to be 15 years old and was also repainted about 3 years ago. I am completely ignorant when it comes to working on cars so I need some opinions. I was lucky enough to find a friend who done the new timing belt and checked compression for me at no cost. Should I buy a rebuilt motor or get mine rebuilt? Any recommendations for motors online and I am scared I will get screwed dealing across the country. I found another motor on rockauto.com for $1200 and it comes with a 36,000 mile warranty. I would prefer not to deal with local junkyards because who knows whats been done to those used motors like that. Thanks

 

Honestly, either way you go, I highly recommend a rebuild. Even if you get a low mileage engine, looks are very deceiving. Open your block and assess the damage to cylinder 3. It's my understanding that when the timing belt goes so do the pistons. My f22b1 has 220k and will be rebuilt when she goes. I prefer to just keep what I have. If you price out the labor, the machine shop seems to charge the same. Good luck.

 

I personally have had a good experience w/ a low mileage junkyard engine for a 99 Civic Lx, and i would do it again. I just bought a JDM transmission for my Cl that will be installed next week due to the original failing after 212k. Your engine is a dime a dozen you should be able to pick one up for under $500, and maybe your friend will install it.

 

If you wanna do it once, then rebuild it. I have gone through 2 jdm toyota motors and they only lasted maybe 10k.

 

Hondas ain't like Toyotas.

 

what i would do is like 75aces said. assess the damage to #3. it may be ugly, it also may be like a f22a6 that a friend of mine had, one valve was bent so slightly that just looking at it, you might not know right away. he replaced the valve and its running strong again. besides, a valve is only like $15 anyways? Always startsmall

 

That's true. Always better to be safe than sorry.

 

If I am not getting any compression at all on #3 could that be just a bent valve? I've got this guy here in town telling me that if Im not getting some compression then it means the piston is busted. I might take the head off myself just to look at it anyway. Anyone got a beginners guide to removing the head off my motor? I hate to pay anyone to remove something that might be shot anyway.

 

Yes a couple bent valves could cause 0 compression.

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