I feel like the kid that only drops in when they want something. Be assured I've been a reader and watcher for a long time. You guys are really great here. I'm sorry to throw a problem out on an introduce, but here goes.

Driving 30 MPH, car starts to feel like someone tugging on the rear end. First light I come to, it will barely stay running. I have to place it in neutral for a stop. It was running rough to say the least.

Bit of a knocking sound coming from somewhere, but with belts squeaking and all the jumping, it was hard to say from where. Placed a SNAP ON OBD on it and it came back with MAP sensor. Measured the voltage and it was just shy. Mitchel'* recommends replace part. $92.80 later. Same story.

Checked out coil packs, wires... Nothing. Compression test. BIG WHAMMY. Number 6 ( closest to driver, firewall side) is showing **** 0% ****! Nothing.

Plug was also a little wet, blacker than the others. Took the rocker cover off (as much as I dare) enough to get a flashlight in there, all the push rods and associated parts ** appeared ** functional, as I say that, nothing jumped out as a catastrophic failure. But MY thoughts on this are.
1- Bent valve/push rod.
2- Bad valve seat.
3- GOD FORBID, a hole in the piston.

ANY thoughts, suggestions, heckles.... Would really be appreciated. If the majority of recommendations are intake/heads pulled. Could someone point me in the general direction of the skid for a 'easy-how-to for head removal'. I've never worked on one of these before and there could be time saving, money saving tips.

Sorry for the old yeller novel.

- Cattled in Canada.

Thanks in Advance! Cheers

Are you saying you have zero compression on #6 cyl?

0 compression sounds bad, my comp-gauge showed 0 compression at my 7th cyl in my trans am....
but just because the gauge was leaking.... maybe&hopefully you are lucky,too....

maybe you could take an endoscope to look at your piston while everything is still in it'* place....
this would be my way : just do the work which is really necessary


alex

Take the valve cover all the way off. If you have an air compressor, and a fitting that will fit the spark plug hole, pull the plug and pump air into the #6 (25 psi or so). Slowly hand turn the motor with a breaker bar on the crank pulley bolt and turn until the exhaust and intake valve are close on #6. If air escapes up through the valve stem, it'* a valve seat. If no air...it'* probably piston or the ring is shot and you need to pull the head.

No compression is not good. As purple said, remove the valve cover all the way. Take out all the plugs. Now you can hand crank the engine much easier. Turn the engine over and watch the rockers. They need to move about the same. Check them to see if the rockers are loose. If loose when valves are closed you could have a bad lifter or pushrod.

As for your spark plug, you said that it'* wet and black. Although plugs are the least of your worries right now, that could be oil on the plug. If so, then oil is leaking past your piston rings or -- as everyone else is suggesting -- your valve seat.

OK guys thanks for ALL this great help and info. It looks as though the head repair will be the order of the day. So in searching for the gasket sets.. All I see are SSE or SE.. I have an SLE.

Could someone point me in the direction of part numbers for this model or equivl?

eBay had crazy prices.. Like 140. The auto parts places are asking upwards of 275! Any help or links would really really help me out.

Thank in Advance

So many thanks for all the input suggestions.

Turned out it was a valve spring on # 1.

400 later for parts... I hope it'* better. I'm too old to lean over a fender and work.

So I unplugged the battery to do the work. Now it shows LOC

Jeezz Louieeess.

ANYONE.... Anyone know how to unlock this?

Your radio is locked. You will need the unlock code, check the owners manual to see if there'* a code written down. Should be a 3 digit code. The owners manual will also explain what needs to be done. I believe it'* under security unlock