truck compression problem! help if you can

[400exfan19]

well i have a 2.2 sonoma 1999 and the compression test came through with the results of 190,185,125,130 (not that order) but both of the low ones are in the same head. any1 know the prob? i think or hope its the head gasket. Might need a new head? or maybe lifters or cam? help appreciated

[400exfan19]

any1 know anything?

[underpowered]

well being it is a 4 banger, all 4 cylinders are on the same head.

but it could be any number of things. is your oil milky? are you losing coolant? any unusual noises?

if your oil is not milky, then i would say rings.

[400exfan19]

it is a 4 cylinder but i think there is 2 heads, im not sure though

[underpowered]

nope, it is one solid head all the way being it is an inline 4.

[Toadz400]

Originally posted by 400exfan19
well i have a 2.2 sonoma 1999 and the compression test came through with the results of 190,185,125,130 (not that order) but both of the low ones are in the same head. any1 know the prob? i think or hope its the head gasket. Might need a new head? or maybe lifters or cam? help appreciated

I would sure hope they're in the same head. If not, you've got a strange 2.2. I would check your valves first to make sure everything is in spec. How many miles are on the engine? If it's a high mileage engine I'd say the rings or valves are worn out.

[Blue250X]

I'd have to say it is a blown head gasket. Being as the 2 cylinders with the lowest compression are next to each other, that means the gasket could have blown in between them and they are then both losing compression. But I could be wrong, because the compressions are lower, but not REAL low, almost like they still have a good gasket, but the rings are bad. I would check those first maybe. Then, like other people said, it could be the valves not seating properly.

[450rJam]

what he said ^^

where are the lowest cylinders located ? front two/back two/middle two ?

has it overheated in the past ?

if the oil has the "milky" look, your getting water into it

I would pull the head and check for signs of leaks between the two low cylinders, you will want to check to be sure the head is not warped also.

[400exfan19]

it has 87k miles and it does heat up fairly quickly in the summer

[Toadz400]

Originally posted by 400exfan19
it has 87k miles and it does heat up fairly quickly in the summer

Have you checked your oil yet? Sounds like it's probably a head gasket as it's a common problem on the 2.2 and it happens around that mileage.

[400exfan19]

the oil was just changed and has like 5 miles on it so i wouldnt be able to tell anything by that, but i think it is the gasket also, the two last cylinders where the low ones. thanks for the help

[KXRida]

Has it overheated at all? Is the head warped at all?


Like stated above, could be a head gasket or rings. Hard to say.

[Toadz400]

How does the truck run? Have you noticed a drop in your coolant level? Take it out for a drive and take note of temperature, how it runs, then check your oil afterwards.

[Rich250RRacer]

2.2's are known for head gasket problems, leaking at the corners of the head, and warping pretty bad. I do the machine shop work at the auto parts store where I work and I see 2.2 heads 4-5 times a week. The newer (98 and up) don't crack as frequently as the older ones, but they do warp as bad. .010 is the limit on resurfacing all 2.2's without using a shim, but the big problem is finding a shim for the newer ones. Fel-Pro doesn't make one yet, and the one company that does make it isn't as common, and it can be tough to find. Pull that head, get it pressure tested and resurfaced, and you should be good to go. Make sure you replace the head bolts too.

[Toadz400]

Originally posted by Rich250RRacer
2.2's are known for head gasket problems, leaking at the corners of the head, and warping pretty bad. I do the machine shop work at the auto parts store where I work and I see 2.2 heads 4-5 times a week. The newer (98 and up) don't crack as frequently as the older ones, but they do warp as bad. .010 is the limit on resurfacing all 2.2's without using a shim, but the big problem is finding a shim for the newer ones. Fel-Pro doesn't make one yet, and the one company that does make it isn't as common, and it can be tough to find. Pull that head, get it pressure tested and resurfaced, and you should be good to go. Make sure you replace the head bolts too.

Exactly. If you look on eBay there's some auctions for a head gasket set that comes with the bolts also.