1.4 SRi Low Compression/Won't Start

[daklone]

I'm after a bit of advice about my daughters 1992 Nova 1.4SRi.

She's just got back from a 500-mile round trip, during which the car was fine. She took it out on Monday morning and it 'just died' and she was unable to start it again.

I've had a look and although there was almost no oil in it ( :roll: ) I've topped it up and it does still turn over on the starter. I've done a compression test and cylinders 1 and 3 read about 120psi while 2 and 4 read a big fat zero :(

The plugs were not particularly fouled and there's no mayo on the oil filler cap. She didn't report any overheating or smoke (but then she may just not have noticed!).

I was considering getting a head gasket kit and trying that, but I'm not convinced that will help - what do you guys think?

[craig green]

Sounds like HG failure to me.
You are going to have to lift the head off anyways.

[GRUNT 16V]

As Above Head Off

[daklone]

Thanks guys. I was really wondering whether its worth the money and effort to do that, as to be honest if its anything more than that it'll be heading for the scrap yard.

[craig green]

Don't do anything rash without showing us tyhe results/offereing the car for sale.

Oh & dont buy a HG kit (or any engine parts for that matter) from ebay.

[GRUNT 16V]

As above mentioning scraping novas around here is a automatic ban !!!

[MattBrown]

As above mentioning scraping novas around here is a automatic ban !!!

Mint-Frst for the ban stick thenlol lol

[GRUNT 16V]

Mint-Frst for the ban stick thenlol lol if anyone mentions srapping novas the should have tha ban stick up em!!lol

[AlexW]

Head gasket costs wont be much eather, head gasket and bolts are about £30 and skimming is about that again? Small price to pay imo.

[daklone]

Sorry to upset everyone with this talk of scrap yards - I'm just a bit hacked off with the damn thing at the moment. I will of course offer it on here if I decide not to repair it.

[daklone]

BTW Is there anything I should know about doing the head gasket on this car? Any gotchas/common problems/special tools? Anyone have a link for the bolt tightening torques/sequence?

[let_nova]

if your selling pm me.

[Leeboo]

bolt tightening sequence and torque readings will come with new gasket.

id try a new gasket first and torque the head down. I would use the old headbolts personally but others will disagree

[daklone]

Nobody get too excited - its pretty rusty (needed welding for its last two MoTs, although the current MoT runs till 09/10) both the door bottoms have gone and there's plenty of scabs. It does have some nice alloys on it though I suppose.

[daklone]

I would post a picture of it, but I need 15 posts...

[daklone]

Almost there...

[daklone]

One more...

[daklone]

Right...

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn270/daklone/Nova_1.jpg

[let_nova]

pm me a price. and location

[jimbob-mcgrew]

pm me a price. and location

give the guy a chance to fix it atleast, its his daughters wagon.

[daklone]

Found the data for head torque, might be useful for someone else...

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn270/daklone/C14SEHeadTightening.jpg

Stage 1: 25Nm
Stage 2: 60 degrees
Stage 3: 60 degrees
Stage 4: 30 degrees
Stage 5: run engine for 15 mins
Stage 6: 30 degrees
Stage 7: 15 degrees

[craig green]

I like the wheels, Wolfrace Racelights??

[tom reid]

Have a good look at the cam, before you remove the head.

[mowgli]

Found the data for head torque, might be useful for someone else...

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn270/daklone/C14SEHeadTightening.jpg

Stage 1: 25Nm
Stage 2: 60 degrees
Stage 3: 60 degrees
Stage 4: 30 degrees
Stage 5: run engine for 15 mins
Stage 6: 30 degrees
Stage 7: 15 degrees

who's figures are these?? haynes only goes as far as stage4....:confused:

[daklone]

who's figures are these?? haynes only goes as far as stage4....:confused:

I got this from my AutoData CD, which I assume is correct.

[daklone]

I like the wheels, Wolfrace Racelights??

Sorry, I don't know they were on the car when she got it. Could be though.

[daklone]

Well, had a look at the car today...when I took the cambelt cover off, I got a nasty surprise:

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn270/daklone/Nova/Nova_2-1.jpg

[daklone]

Car now for sale:

http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133805