[szembek]

Any suggestions as to what to do in this situation? It's a 97 sentra with 63,000 miles. Cylinder 2 has very bad compression, it spikes with a wet test which points to a worn/broken ring. It burns a quart of oil every 225 miles. I just put new tires, new cat, and some other crap on it so I hate to just scrap it, but at the same time I don't want to spend a lot of cash fixing up a '97.

 

[IanH]

What were the readings for the 4 cylinders?
I doubt its worn.
Do you think it could be stuck a Oil ring?

 

[szembek]

This is about what they were +- 5, I don't have the exact numbers with me.

1. 155 dry
2. 55 dry / 95 wet
3. 165 dry
4. 160 dry

I see these are all a bit lower than the spec. A couple things that may have caused that: Engine wasn't warm during the test, and the throttle wasn't open during the test either. Either way the main problem is definitely with Cylinder #2. The FSM states:

If adding oil helps compression, piston rings may be worn or damaged. If so, replace piston rings after checking piston.

 

[szembek]

Also want to mention that I'm burning a quart of oil every 225 miles.

 

[szembek]

Anybody?

 

[IanH]

Well if you are correct all the cylinders are low.
Yes the one cylinder looks like rings or in our case one ring.
Just to check, you did this with the engine warm, manually opened the throttle all the way while cranking and all the plugs were removed while testing ?
And certainly the Oil consumption confirms a ring problem, are you getting blow by, is there oil coming out of the PCV valve into the intake ?

 

[szembek]

Well if you are correct all the cylinders are low.
Yes the one cylinder looks like rings or in our case one ring.
Just to check, you did this with the engine warm, manually opened the throttle all the way while cranking and all the plugs were removed while testing ?
And certainly the Oil consumption confirms a ring problem, are you getting blow by, is there oil coming out of the PCV valve into the intake ?

The engine was cold, I did not open the throttle. I assumed this was why all of them were a bit low. Either way the major problem is cylinder 2. I don't see oil coming out anywhere. Should I check the PCV valve for oil on it?

 

[IanH]

Yes, if you can find out if all the oil is going out the exhast then it helps.
If you have blow by then the compression ring has gone, if the oil ring is bad or stuck its unlikely you have blowby.
So I think you need to re measure the compression and see what you get then. I suspect the oil rings have gummed up, if thats all then you might be able to run cleaners through and free it up. Did the car sit for a long time ?

 

[szembek]

I checked it out and there was oil all over the inlet of the PCV valve. So does this point to the ring being toast? Thanks for your help, I've never messed with engine problems before. The car hasn't set much at all.

 

[szembek]

Pretty sure I'll be either parting this thing out or selling it as is as soon as I can get the Saturn back on the road.

 

[IanH]

With such a low millage I would think this would be a cheap to fix problem, but take some hours of your labour.
I will send you a Pm
Good luck....

 

[IanH]

On the off chance this is stuck rings how about using on of the Oil clean products you add to the crankcase and run for 10 mins then change the Oil.
They are pretty aggressive.
Also poring some kind of cleaner into the cylinder and leting it stand overnight?
Any suggestions from anyone else?

 

[szembek]

Well I sold the Sentra. Got $1000 for it as is, not bad in my opinion. Somebody who has the time/skill can fix it.

 

[IanH]

Well i am pleased you got $1000 for it,i guess they are worth more these days with the gas going up. My son sold his focus last week for more than it was worth 2 years ago !!