Misfire, no compression on cylinder No.2

Post by **erikv11** » 22 Nov 2010, 19:18

Couple weeks back my car had pretty much the same symptoms: 10-190-200-195-195 (or something very similar - don't remember the exact high numbers). I didn't bother with the leakdown test: pulled the head, there was a pencil eraser-sized hole in the #1 exhaust valve.

It made sense because the engine has been burning oil through the valve stem seals for several months now. Head comes back from the machine shop tomorrow, all other valves etc were in good shape. Should be up and running by the long weekend.

Post by **Red-Arrow** » 23 Nov 2010, 02:24

I head gasket failure can create all kinds of symptoms like water in your oil and if its just a chunk blown out you will hear it blowing gas from the head.

Ozark is right as no matter what you do you will have to remove the head and replace the headgasket anyway. I would rather get another head from a yard and have it machined and inspected. I feel for you man but it has to be done.

jjjh2n · Post by **jjjh2n** » 23 Nov 2010, 14:04

I will start taking the head off the volvo tomorrow, and I will post back to let you guys know what the result is and follow up on the thread. I think I am just going to get the head rebuilt anyway, instead of just doing the damaged valves(if this is the problem). I am going to give clearwater a try, and hopefully we will be back on the road in no time. Thanks for the help and input.

Josh

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 23 Nov 2010, 16:20

Josh,

Be careful removing the head bolts. They have a nasty habit of breaking. Slow steady pressure with a long pipe on the breakover bar will normally get the job done. Don't try to use an impact wrench and don't use a jerking motion when trying to take them out.

Good luck with it and keep us posted.

...Lee

Post by **erikv11** » 23 Nov 2010, 19:41

Just to add: be sure to use ONLY a 6-point socket on the head bolts, 1/2 drive.

Preferably a new socket or an impact socket, as you will be applying tremendous force and regular sockets will stretch with usage. As you may know, the head bolts are recessed. If you don't have a thick-walled socket that can fit into the recess, I ended up buying a low quality, 1/2 drive impact set from Walmart ($20) just for the 14 mm deep impact socket. One bolt was stuck and everything we tried the sockets were rounding the bolt, until we got the cheapie from Walmart. Nice snug fit in the recess. The walls are too thick on most quality impact sockets so the diameter is too large to fit in the recess. Apparently Stanley's cheapo, deep impact socket set is also thin-walled enough to fit into the recess.

Post by **Red-Arrow** » 24 Nov 2010, 02:08

Ozark Lee wrote:Josh,

Be careful removing the head bolts. They have a nasty habit of breaking.

...Lee

If possible start the engine and get it warm before removing the headbolts. The heat will help the aluminium head expand so the bolts won't be stone cold and stiff.

jjjh2n · Post by **jjjh2n** » 06 Aug 2011, 14:38

Ok, I know it has been awhile since the problems with my volvo, but I finally took the head off and discovered it was a burned exhaust valve on the no. 2 cylinder causing my misfire. There was a little chip missing on the valve.

I debated on whether to get my head rebuilt or just get a rebuilt head from Clearwater cylinder head. I went with the head from clearwater, and so far so good. I still have a puff of blue smoke at startup which I thought was bad valve stem seals, but if they have been replaced on the rebuilt head then I guess I have another problem.

Anyways, I apologize for not closing the loop earlier, but I have been doing work on the wife's subaru and I completely forgot to post back.
Thanks for all the help and input. Maybe this can help someone else.

-Josh

beoutside · Post by **beoutside** » 27 Oct 2013, 20:10

pulled mine same thing easer size hole in #3 1998 volvo v70 x/c

Misfire, no compression on cylinder No.2

Re: Misfire, no compression on cylinder No.2