I was driving around town today and after a red light I let the car get to 45 and started cruising. I felt a weird jerk and I checked my dash, no CEL, I gave it a tad bit of gas and it bogged, the kind of bogging you get when your empty on gas. I quickly went to neutral and turned off the car, no noises or anything. I tried starting the car but the crank whine sounded completely off. First thought was timing belt.

well this morning I pulled my valve cover gasket and to my surprise the belt was there. Now i'm thinking I might have lost compression. Anything like this sound like a ring failure or block finally giving out? Car does have 323xxx. Any word appreciated. Really bummed because I just got the car.


1993 Honda Accord lx

 

Hmmm this is an odd one. Does the car crank, or is the starter just not engaging?

Seems odd that it would just all of a sudden blowing piston rings, especially seeing it would have to be in more than one cylinder to get the results you are talking about.

I would start by describing better what happens when you try to start it now.

 

After more thinking maybe a spun bearing. Car still cranks, starter still moves the t-belt. Just sounds like there is no compression

 

Line it up and check the timing marks, want to be the belt didn't jump.

 

I've spun a few bearings in my day and the cars still ran, just sounded like a garbage disposal.

I wouldn't rule out a fuel related issue, bad fuel pump, etc. You did say it sounded like what happens when you run out of gas.

As Poorman said I would definitely check the timing marks.

 

engine is timed still. marks all line up.

do fuel pumps go out like that?

 

I would do a compression test, since you said the sound starting was way off. That will help identify a major mechanical problem in the engine.

 

x2 on compression test; also spark test, 'cuz it's so easy.

Two yrs ago, son had a suzuki samurai stop dead on freeway when
single overhead camshaft broke in half, looked like bearing seized.

 

I do remember a post about the camshaft breaking kinda near the pulley end. The camshaft sprocket was turning, but the camshaft wasn't. I don't remember for sure, but you might be able to see the camshaft by opening the oil-fill-cap. Or remove the distributor cap & watch for the rotor to turn.

 

compression check results - 0 across the board. when i was pulling the spark plug i found this in cylinder 2





I had someone crank it with the sparks out and the pistons are all moving, why would there be no compression.