QuestionI have a 1998 Chevy S-10, 2.4ltr with 111,000mls.
Last thanksgving it ran out of gas and has not started since. Before it ran out of gas it was loosing power. 2 differant mechanics have looked at everything from the computer to fuel system to electrical. What they have narrowed it down to is the engine will not hold a compression. The longer I try to start it the more it sounds like it is trying to start but won't. I am wondering if as the engine heats up the rings expand and adds a litle more compression but not enough to start the engine.
The person I bought it from did not change the oil when it should have been. When I replaced the valve cover gasket I found thick goo on top of the engine. Results of oil break down. This could have damaged the cylinder walls?
Any advice or recommendations would be helpful. Thanks, Ken
AnswerMost internal combustion engines, with the exception of some diesels and ultra-high performance engines, rely on what is called "sling" lubrication to provide oil to the cylinder walls and piston rings.
Oil is pumped through small orifices in the engine, through the crankshaft main bearings, and then through holes in the crankshaft to the connecting rod bearings. It flows out the sides of the connecting rod bearings and, as the crankshaft is spinning around, the oil is "slung" off. While the crankshaft is spinnig near the top of the circle, the "slung" oil is thrown onto the cylinder walls.
How well do you think the "goo" would work as described above?
Such "goo" would not pump well into the bearings, let alone pass out of them.
Result? Ring wear and loss of compression. When the wear gets bad enough, the reulting loss of compression keeps the engine from starting.
Your engine will either need rebuilding or replacement with another, less abused, engine.
