That's what I am afraid of.

But, the oil filter had 11-5-07 written on it, the oil was pretty dirty, and there was sticker from Wal-mart on the windshield with a date about 3 months down the road.Edited by: Easywin

 

I did my compression tests again, I got much better numbers this time. I used oil in the two that had 80 and 95 beforeI did the test again, [img]smileys/smiley4.gif[/img] , but on the other two, I did them dry then added the oil. I didn't get any different numbers than before. Then, I did them again with oil, the one with 0 stayed there, and the one that was good before read as high as the other two.

So I have three good cylinders and one shot. What could cause one cylinder to go bad? Would that indicate a head gasket. I was told by someone at work that Saturns are known for blown head gaskets. Is this true?

 

SOHC's are known for cracked heads. You have to really neglect the engine or be doing something dumb to blow a head gasket on a DOHC.

Sounds like a cracked piston or bent/broken valve.

 

How would the piston crack or bend a valve? I think the engine might have been neglected, but the oil had been recently changed.

I guess I will find out when I take off the head, right? Do the timing cover and all the accessories need to come off to get the head off?

 

The timing cover has to come off. The water pump, alternator and A/C compressor can stay.

 

Power steering?

I take it all of the accessories don't mount on/near the timing cover.

 

The pump doesnt have to be removed, the it does need to be unbolted and moved out of the way if I remember correctly. I usually do this with the engine on a stand.

 

Well, I am going to pull the head with the engine in the car, so I won't get the luxury of doing it on a stand. It does make it much easier.

Do I need to completely remove the intake and exhaust? Or can I remove the bolts/studs and pull them out of the way and secure them so they don't fall back in my way.

 

Just leave the manifolds attached to the head. Then pull everything out together.

 

Broken rod? I decided to do one more thing before I took off the head. I remembered reading someone putting a drinking straw down the spark plug hole to see if the piston moves. I thought I would go ahead and try it. Nothing! I thought I was doing it wrong so I tried it on number two and it moved. I am pretty sure something broke on the bottom end. I just don't know why.

How easily accessable is the crank from the bottom of the car with the engine installed?

*Edit*
Thrown rod! I found a hole in the front of the block, just above the pan, of course! It couldn't have been just the pan.Edited by: Easywin