Hello all! I recently acquired a non-running CTS blindly. I didn't even know the odometer as the car had no power. I jumped and boosted the car last night and got the odometer, but I didn't get to do much since the boost only lasts so long. 280k miles.

I installed a new battery today. The starter is good as the belt moves. The crank sound is not entirely smooth as I've seen with no compression, but it might have caught maybe once. There is, however, a sound at the top of the engine similar to coins in a plastic jar. Timing chain slapping around? Valve?

How to proceed? This thing seems generally well maintained but timing is expensive job and I'm not confident everyone did it on time. Maybe it doesn't even matter, considering these have timing problems anyway. How shall I start testing/pulling things apart? Should I buy a full Cloyes timing kit and get 'er done? I can attach a video of the cranking as soon as I can make a decent one.
Until then please reply with any advice.

J

Your description sounds like something major going on. I wouldn't turn it over any more.

Next steps:

1. Disassembly
2. Diagnosis
3. Repair

I have a video from the inside I've already made, I've uploaded it to Imgur since I can't seem to place mp4 files here.
https://imgur.com/a/c7UBSup

You need to get at the timing and see how bad it is.

compression test first, start pulling things apart next. As quickly as my jobs allow.

You already know the compression is bad. Why waste your time. You are going to need to take it apart.

Because it costs me nothing and I've never done it before. I already know I need to tear into it.

I'll let y'all cast lots on which chain is broken.

You'll have to turn it over to do a compression test. I suspect it is so bad inside that turning it over will cause even more damage than it already has.

Another thought: You can do a compression test on it after you think you have it repaired.

60 on back left cylinder.