No way anyone could foresee that coming. I did see this once on a 95 3800. All of a sudden no compression one cylinder. Turned out to be a broken valve spring. It cost me $12 to fix.

Funny part is I left the car sit for 3 months because I thought the zero compression was going to be a big job. Once I started working on it, It took 45 minutes and run to the parts store and 1/2 hour once I got back and she was fixed.

 

Tomorrow I will take pictures while I am at work and upload them for you to see how I re routed them. But just have them where they won't be touching the manifold

 

A quick check of compression, insert shop air into the cylinder and listen to either the intake/throttle body for intake leak, and tailpipe for exhaust leak.

Most common problem would be a burnt exhaust valve. But, an erractic running engine would so this fault.

 

Well, one night of work down, that wasn't too bad. The old days were pretty nice - you could just unscrew four small bolts and you had the valve cover off. On this car, you have to drain the cooling system and remove such items as the alternator, drive belt and tensioner, the rear engine lifting bracket (I could have strangled the guy who designed that!), the fuel rail and several generator brackets. I still don't have the cover off yet. I am so hoping that I find a broken valve spring!! If it's a burnt valve the job just gets about 3 times more involved.

 

You did grab the GM shop manual?

 

Yes, followed it to the letter. Probably about 3.5 hours into repair so far. GREAT NEWS! My son just got the cover off and voila, it is indeed a broken valve spring. I never thought I would be so glad to have one, but I am.

 

Keep a magnet close, don't drop the keepers!. You have the "on car" spring compressor ?

 

so lucky its number 2.

 

YES. That is the best possible cylinder to have this happen to. Very unfortunate to happen on the first tank of gas, but like the wise man says, "it could have been worse". Like on my son's 14 hour drive to Virginia.

 

This is pretty rare to happen. I saw it once 10 years ago and I can not remember anyone ever coming here an asking about a broken spring. I have been here since 09. It is not the normal life of a spring. They tend to get weak and float at higher RPM. Broken springs normally only happen when people go nuts with hi lift cams.