A NEW plea for help with my CA18DE

cuzinaddie · Apr 30th, 2004, 10:29 PM

Hello again folks,
I know the following is wordy but bear with me.
As you know I took my car to a mechanic that I had never let work on my engine before and all hell broke loose. On the strength of the “different” mechanics recommendation I was told that I needed a valve job because my #3 cylinder had low compression. Me not really knowing too much about it thought that this might be the problem. I thought this because the mechanic I usually take it to told me that I was gonna need a valve job in the near future.
I figured that this was cool and gave the go ahead. The “different” mechanic, lets call him Buckethead, took off my head and sent it to where ever he sent it to have the valves put in, the head came back with the original valves still installed, stating that they were fine.
He asked me if he could try a trick that they use on Hondas when a high spot was found on the block in an effort to try and save the customer some money. He prefaced it by saying that if it didn’t work we could always take it to a machine shop, and if it worked then it didn’t cost a thing. The trick involved a belt sander. Now mind you, I have never heard of anything like this and I didn’t know if it would work but I said lets give it a try. I tend to be tooooo optimistic. :dumbass: I did know that the block should be removed and taken to a machinist. But the Buckethead informed me that if they did this it would indeed add on another $1000 to the already high total. The belt sander didn’t work, and when they put my engine back together, the nightmare began. After assembly it leaked from the spot that was sanded like a sieve. This was BEFORE they started it. My car did run, but really crappy.
So then he, Buckethead, said he “thinks” he messed up and that I needed a new block. I’m thinking to myself, what the f--k!!! So I buy a motor, this is on a Monday. A couple of days later Buckethead says that this job is too big and they can’t finish it (Wednesday). Now we are three and a half weeks into it and I am very upset. Buckethead states that he has a friend around the corner who specializes in Nissans and he wants my permission to take my car to him so that he can fix it. I mean, what do I say, “No f--khead, you broke it you fix it!”? So my car gets taken to the NEW guy, let us call him Tony. Two days later my car and new used motor finally gets truck lifted over there (Friday). I see them lift it off the truck and speak to Tony. I am a nervous wreck and he knows it so he tells me that he will fix my car and not to worry.
I take him at his word and leave my baby in his hands. He also tells me that he won’t be able to get started on it until the following Monday. I say Oh TAY!!! A few hours later Tony calls and wants to know who is paying him. If Buckethead pays it will be cheaper. He would get the “friend and colleague” rate. I end up footing the bill, but only because I’m mad as hell at Buckethead and don’t want to talk to him.
The time NOW is 2 weeks later and the end of April, TODAY!!! I am informed that I would be able to pick up my car today but again I am disappointed. Tony tells me that he has put my baby back together and it runs, but only on three cylinders. He, Tony said that he put the car through some diagnostics and it is pointing to the ECU acting up.
I have been told a lot of things and I am just curious as to whether this has happened to anyone else.
Before I put my car in the shop it was acting goofy. When I started it in the mornings it acted like it didn’t want to stay started. I had to hold down on the accelerator to keep it going. Once it got warmed up it ran but not very good. It acted like it had no power and it took along time to get up ANY speed. There was also this foul smell coming from the exhaust like unburned gas or I guess rotten eggs. I don’t really know what rotten eggs smell like so I am assuming that this is it.
Now that my car is back together I still have the same problem; running on 3 cylinders. Only this time it’s a different cylinder. I called the first mechanic, Buckethead and got some compression numbers for my car, these were BEFORE it was taken apart. They are as follows:
$1 - 150 lbs
#2 - 175 lbs
#3 - 100 lbs
#4 - 175 lbs
With #3 being out of range.??.

With the car being re-disassembled and re-reassembled the #2 cylinder is now the odd man out with NO compression. I didn’t think to get the numbers from Tony until just now, only they are closed not to open until Monday morning. I don’t even know if these numbers will help.
As I said before Tony thinks now that it may be the ECU. Now, I know your wondering why there was no diagnostics done until now, me too. Tony took Bucketheads word that all that needed to be done was the motor reassembled and every thing would be hunky dory. Me too!!! This is not the case and I need some assistance in helping me to figure this out. At this time I have shelled out $641.12 for a motor, $1000 for parts and machining to Buckethead, and $2600 to Tony for the repairs to my car. All the parts that were replaced on my car by Buckethead were:
Timing belt
Exhaust manifold
All belts and miscellaneous hoses
Spark plugs
Water pump
Gaskets
And these were replaced by Tony
Block
Radiator
Half axels
Gaskets

I sure hope this helps and someone has some kind of idea of what’s happening.

Myetball · Apr 30th, 2004, 11:46 PM

Holy Cow! I haven't read it yet....just saw how long your post is. Lemme get a fresh cup of coffee and get to work reading this post.

minute rice sentra · Apr 30th, 2004, 11:53 PM

I'd say buckethead owes you some money, "beltsander" to the block!!!! NOOO!!!

Myetball · May 1st, 2004, 12:05 AM

Wow! So as it stands you're out over 4k and have a motor with a potentially bad ECU. Is there still one cylinder with no compression?

I would like to comment on the "belt sander" trick. Sweeeet Merciful Jesus!!!!! What half witted moron would even suggest that! He should have used a straight edge to find any high/low spots on the deck. Then taken it to a shop. Makes me mad just thinking about it.

Anyway, I have an extra ECU and Ignitor. However, the most important thing is to find out if all four cylinders have good compression. If not, you've got a more expensive problem. Will probably need to re-ring the new shortblock.

Red_Coupe · May 1st, 2004, 12:18 AM

Those F**ks!!!! I would take them to court!
you could of got a CA18DET for that price and have it put in to boot...... or another one of your car...! I would tell F**KHEAD to foot the bill,and tell Tony to get a cule on how to find a scan tool from a hole in his ASS!!!!!

cuzinaddie · May 1st, 2004, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myetball

Wow! So as it stands you're out over 4k and have a motor with a potentially bad ECU. Is there still one cylinder with no compression?

I would like to comment on the "belt sander" trick. Sweeeet Merciful Jesus!!!!! What half witted moron would even suggest that! He should have used a straight edge to find any high/low spots on the deck. Then taken it to a shop. Makes me mad just thinking about it.

Anyway, I have an extra ECU and Ignitor. However, the most important thing is to find out if all four cylinders have good compression. If not, you've got a more expensive problem. Will probably need to re-ring the new shortblock.

YEP there is still one cylinder with NO compression... I cant tell you about the other cylinders because I didn't think to ask... If it is the ECU what do you want for yours and what it the ignitor. Also what could be more expensive that whats already happened. other than taking it apart again...

Spelchy · May 1st, 2004, 12:20 AM

i'd be going to the better business bureau or something. obviously this would-be mechanic doesn't know what he's talking about, and he's screwing you out of money while he's at it.

cuzinaddie · May 1st, 2004, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spelch

i'd be going to the better business bureau or something. obviously this would-be mechanic doesn't know what he's talking about, and he's screwing you out of money while he's at it.

I have been thinking about that but because I gave him permission to do it dosen't that also make me wrong??? Could it actually BE the ECU cuttin' up???

Red_Coupe · May 1st, 2004, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuzinaddie

I have been thinking about that but because I gave him permission to do it dosen't that also make me wrong??? Could it actually BE the ECU cuttin' up???

Well if the :dumbass: knew how to use a scan tool he would know right?

minute rice sentra · May 1st, 2004, 12:28 AM

The ECU would be the last thing to think about if there's no compression.

Myetball · May 1st, 2004, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuzinaddie

YEP there is still one cylinder with NO compression... I cant tell you about the other cylinders because I didn't think to ask... If it is the ECU what do you want for yours and what it the ignitor. Also what could be more expensive that whats already happened. other than taking it apart again...

Exactly! Sounds like the head is sealed since the dead cylinder migrated when you swapped out shortblocks. So...it sounds like it will have to be torn down again and the bottom end fixed....new rings at a minimum.

For what you have already spent, I could have built my stroker CA20DE and seen if I can reach 200hp without turbo....and still had enough left over to take the family out for a nice steak dinner....every night for a week

I'll send you a PM about the ECU.

cuzinaddie · May 1st, 2004, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minute rice sentra

The ECU would be the last thing to think about if there's no compression.

Quite frankly I don't know what to think. I love my car and I want it back. Had I known all this was gonna trasnpire I would have gone back to my original mechanic. I tried someone new because of how long my OG mechanic keeps my car. They do good work and I have never had any problems with them in the past. I went to the buckethead because of some mechanical work they did and I thought it would be OK....
I don't have a clue where to turn so I came to you folks cause I think you know what your doing. I can't work on my car cause I don't have the proper tools and this one is just too complex compared to the other Pulsar I had (1989 baby brother)

Myetball · May 1st, 2004, 12:40 AM

Well, it looks like you're going to have to shell out some big bucks to get it running. It's already been out of commission for a long time. Have it towed to your regular mechanic and start working on paperwork for small claims court

PM sent

cuzinaddie · May 7th, 2004, 08:54 PM

Hi peeps,
I just wanted to let you know that inspite of everything that has happened to my auto, it is now RUNNING!!!!! I want to thank EVERYONE for all the help and support and I hope one day to be able to post an answer for someone about their engine.
Giving you all props, you are da mans!!! and woman's!!!

cuzinaddie

Myetball · May 7th, 2004, 09:04 PM

Addie,

Details, we want details

What did the trick? FYI, I think you have the most expensive Pulsar on the road