08-16-2013, 02:40 PM
Lots of opinions here... basically it's a heart attack patient with a possible circulatory issue and perhaps a brain injury.
I'd sequence as follows:
1 - Check compression in each cylinder. Think of it as "The heart is working". If it's bad on one, you've got a problem in that cylinder. If it's bad on ALL, then you either have catastrophic failure or the timing belt slipped, timing is off, and the compression stroke has exhaust valves open on it, which makes the engine 'turn easy'. The nice thing is that THIS problem is fixable... replace the timing belt and make sure the timing is set right. If you still have the timing belt cover off, pull a spark plug and check for the "Top Dead Center" indicator on the pulley, and compare to piston position.
2- If compression is OK, Then check for brain injury. Pull trouble codes from the ECM. Then check for spark using the spark plug method shown above. CAUTION.... gasoline vapor explosions happen, don't end up looking all surprised with burned off eyebrows. Yes, I'm speaking from experience. Ow.
3- If the brain is working and it's sparking, then check for fuel flow.
An engine can run for a while without coolant flow. That will be the last thing you fix.
I'd sequence as follows:
1 - Check compression in each cylinder. Think of it as "The heart is working". If it's bad on one, you've got a problem in that cylinder. If it's bad on ALL, then you either have catastrophic failure or the timing belt slipped, timing is off, and the compression stroke has exhaust valves open on it, which makes the engine 'turn easy'. The nice thing is that THIS problem is fixable... replace the timing belt and make sure the timing is set right. If you still have the timing belt cover off, pull a spark plug and check for the "Top Dead Center" indicator on the pulley, and compare to piston position.
2- If compression is OK, Then check for brain injury. Pull trouble codes from the ECM. Then check for spark using the spark plug method shown above. CAUTION.... gasoline vapor explosions happen, don't end up looking all surprised with burned off eyebrows. Yes, I'm speaking from experience. Ow.
3- If the brain is working and it's sparking, then check for fuel flow.
An engine can run for a while without coolant flow. That will be the last thing you fix.