Had posted in 2/05 that new-to-us Saturn was doing well, except for Service Engine light. Hubby is a mechanic by trade, just not on 4-cyls like this one. It left me sit during work commute, so we parked it. Since then, we've rebuilt the top end, new rings, new exhaust valves (intakes were almost perfect, so were pistons), new timing chain, etc. Cannot get compression to 190 as Chilton manual recommends, we top out at 125. Car runs like cr--p. Any suggestions? Maybe the computer??[img]smileys/smiley5.gif[/img]Would like to pass this on to our soon-to-be 16 year old son, but can't keep it running.

 

Does the car idle high? If so check for a leak in the intake manifold gasket?

 

are you certain that all of your valves are making a good contact to the head when closed? are you certain that you didnt get a head gasket that was too large?

 

they should be aroud 175psi.

 

what about getting a supplement like lucas engine oil treatment to try and bring up the compression?

 

scratch what i said earlier, 100psi and above is good for a saturn