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Is My Engine On Its Way Out?



Ok, next smoke break I'll do that. Just went to lunch. Now the noise is gone but my car was shaking bad, but my CEL was not blinking.
 
I'm wondering if the piston has already jacked up that plug, because what it's doing now sounds a lot like what happened to my wife. I never started the car prior to changing the plugs, so I don't know. But I'd bet one of the cylinders isn't firing.
 


There's a little bit of work involved, but nothing to crazy. Worst part might be putting the belt back on, or maybe removing the coil bracket... In any case, it's not rocket science. The bent spark plug suggests that something serious is wrong. But worth checking under the valve covers and looking at the springs. The lifters are a lot harder to get to. The whole top of the engine needs to come off.
 
start with a compression test, its easy, remove spark plugs, then install the tester hose in the plug holes one by one. your looking for one to be way lower then the rest. would be the one with the messed up plug is my guess.

you can get a compression tester at most parts stores they do free rental. you just leave a deposit on the tool. ful refund when returned.
 
Do what Scotty said. Compression test sounds like the best starting point. Considering that their is already a casualty (the spark plug), get the compression test done. If that comes back "All Clear", then take a look at the other stuff.
 
okay I'll look into that. One thing to note, I doubt it's my issue though, I didn't tighten the new plugs with a torque wrench. Never have on a car [just found out that it's suggested to torque them down to a specific pressure(?)]

How do I do the compression test? Car running, pull one plug at a time, stick hose in, get reading, put plug/wire back in, on to the next?
 


Scottydoggs said:
start with a compression test, its easy, remove spark plugs, then install the tester hose in the plug holes one by one. your looking for one to be way lower then the rest. would be the one with the messed up plug is my guess.

you can get a compression tester at most parts stores they do free rental. you just leave a deposit on the tool. ful refund when returned.
Click to expand...
i kinda already told ya how. ^^^^^^

you need to crank the engine over with the tester screwed in each plug hole. you dont want it to start up, all plugs out will let it crank faster too.

write down your findings as you test each cylinder.
 
okay, will this give me the same yes or no answer as to the touch the exhaust manifold trick? What am I trying to find with the compression test? To see if one of the cylinders isn't being utilized?
 
one could be much much lower then the rest. they should be in the 150 psi range at min, they all should be with in 10 psi or so of each other.


and that pipes gonna get hot still cause its got spark still. you might see a difference with a temp laser gun

if you can hear it clicking under the valve cover id think busted spring. you can do the old screw driver to the ear and engine parts to listen more closely.
 
Your video definitely sounds like you have spun a bearing. If that's the case, a compression test won't tell you anything. But I would venture to guess you are missing part of your piston too. What does your oil look like? Does it look like there is glitter in it?
 


meet chip, hes an asshole who can and will ruin the party.....

001_zps6vksnwbu.jpg
 
What's the top of the piston (where it's chipped) made out of? At one point I had the noise which can be heard in the video. Now I don't hear that noise but engine is way rougher. I guess the engine ate itself. I don't know what to do now. Don't have the funds to fix right now, and don't know if I even want to. I love this car, it's fun, but I just don't think the previous owner took very good care of it and it seems like it's falling apart. I think I'm going to go look for a different car with less miles for now, and park the GT and put a tarp on it and save it for down the road when I'm in a better financial situation. I really appreciate all of the help I've received from this forum over the past few months. We are blessed to have people like you all who have the desire to help.
 
I dropped a valve (broken spring) in my 03, CEL was flashing fast, then slow, then fast etc. It was saying "PAY ATTENTION TO ME, I'M SERIOUS".....lol As "luck would have it, #3 was busted, could be seen through oil fill in valve cover.
 
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