Engine Compression Problems..Help!
Hello all!
I am new to the forum, so I may have missed the answer to this problem. I have a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport, 4-liter engine.
The engine overheated, warped the head, broke #1 piston, got a good used head. Replaced piston, and all rings and rod bearings.
There is no compression on any cylinder but #5, which is within specs. Timing's right on, all other mechanics check out.
Any ideas gents? Been battling this for awhile.
Thanks!
I am new to the forum, so I may have missed the answer to this problem. I have a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport, 4-liter engine.
The engine overheated, warped the head, broke #1 piston, got a good used head. Replaced piston, and all rings and rod bearings.
There is no compression on any cylinder but #5, which is within specs. Timing's right on, all other mechanics check out.
Any ideas gents? Been battling this for awhile.
Thanks!
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Hello all!
I am new to the forum, so I may have missed the answer to this problem. I have a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport, 4-liter engine.
The engine overheated, warped the head, broke #1 piston, got a good used head. Replaced piston, and all rings and rod bearings.
There is no compression on any cylinder but #5, which is within specs. Timing's right on, all other mechanics check out.
Any ideas gents? Been battling this for awhile.
Thanks!
I am new to the forum, so I may have missed the answer to this problem. I have a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport, 4-liter engine.
The engine overheated, warped the head, broke #1 piston, got a good used head. Replaced piston, and all rings and rod bearings.
There is no compression on any cylinder but #5, which is within specs. Timing's right on, all other mechanics check out.
Any ideas gents? Been battling this for awhile.
Thanks!
I would re check. It's impossible for timing to be spot on and the head check out good but still have 0 compression on that many cylinders. Was the block machined at all or you just tossed new rings on?
CF Veteran



Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 18,786
Likes: 14
From: CT.
Year: 88
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0 HO
Do a leak down test on the affected cylinders to see where the compression is going.
Make sure valves are closed and piston is up on compression stroke when performing the test on each cylinder.
Make sure valves are closed and piston is up on compression stroke when performing the test on each cylinder.
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::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 541
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver
Year: 1998 and 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.7
When in doubt with compression as to: is it the rings or the valves that leak?
Squirt a little engine oil in the pistons, rotate engine once over without the spark plug to ensure you don't have to much oil in. If some squirt out, you know the piston is covered.
Now do your compression check. If it is still 0, your head or head gasket is the culprit. if the compression shot up, its temporary, your rings are either worn or stuck. (sea foam http://www.seafoamsales.com/sea-foam-spray/
Has been known to get rings unstuck when sprayed in combustion chamber and left overnight to soak.
Note: every 4.0 litre rebuilt I did, the rings where ALWAYS stuck to the piston. most times had to break them to get them off.
Note 2: Get the head checked. For the time and trouble of a warped head, its worth the money.
Squirt a little engine oil in the pistons, rotate engine once over without the spark plug to ensure you don't have to much oil in. If some squirt out, you know the piston is covered.
Now do your compression check. If it is still 0, your head or head gasket is the culprit. if the compression shot up, its temporary, your rings are either worn or stuck. (sea foam http://www.seafoamsales.com/sea-foam-spray/
Has been known to get rings unstuck when sprayed in combustion chamber and left overnight to soak.
Note: every 4.0 litre rebuilt I did, the rings where ALWAYS stuck to the piston. most times had to break them to get them off.
Note 2: Get the head checked. For the time and trouble of a warped head, its worth the money.
Low compression, maybe, but he said no compression. Unless that replacement head and/or gasket are completely screwed up, which I doubt, it's just about gotta be valve timing.
The timing chain test has been done. Negative. I believe the block was machined.
As for no answer, I have very little free time away from my job. Hence why it's taking so long to get the Jeep worked on.
As for no answer, I have very little free time away from my job. Hence why it's taking so long to get the Jeep worked on.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
This reminds me of that show Columbo. "And yes, one more thing....".


