91 Tracker 1.6 dead cylinder

[tcn426]

I have a 1.6 that appears to have a number 2 cylinder problem. It has sprark thru the plug but does not seem to be firing. The motor runs rough at idle and when the plug wire is pulled it does not change anything. I am planning on doing a leak down and compression test. Are these motors prone to valve or piston failures. Also I believe there is only 1 injector for the throttle body is this correct?

[JcT]

Check to make sure your wires are good.
I experienced the same prob on my 98.
When the plug was pulled out of the head it would spark across the tip normally, but what could not be seen when it was out was a small hole in the side of the plug wire.
When the wire was installed it arced across to the inside of the head plug cavity. You could only see it with the moisture boot removed, at dusk, looking straight down the plug cavity.

Make sure your timing is on as well.
J

[tcn426]

I have recently put on new wires, cap , plugs, rotor. I did not notice any arcing (in the dark) when running. I have not checked the timing any idea what it should be set at? It is an automatic.
Thanks,
Tom

[jtgh]

far off , echoing voice , compression test.......

if the passes. ( it wont)

your car is a TBI and not a MPI

NO individual injectors , no fuel rail and no words on valve cover shouting 16 Valves.
given that's true, then it ain't injectors. killing #3

not prone, to fail, if run often with clean fresh oil.
in the PANNY and the Tranny. heheheh


take the #3 plug wire, insert spare plug in wire conn hole, now ground plug, now crank, fat spark? ,
YES ( i bet yes) , now repeat with #3 plug,
still sparking? (I bet yes.)
compression test. ( I bet 20 psi or less)

bad head gasket ( i hope for that as that is cheaper)
Im doing bets today.

ps: never make bets

[tcn426]

I believe you are correct not only on the engine model but on the diagnosis. The #2 cylinder is less than 20 PSI the others are around 125. It as 139k on it. How much work in changing the head gasket? It appears straight forward. Any tips?
Thanks!

[jtgh]

straight as an arrow.
drain fluids, pull out Tbelt, manifolds ,etc.
some have strange bolts in head, even philips bolts.
SOHC, normal. I hope your valves are ok.

[tcn426]

Thanks, I will give it a shot and let you know the results. When the head gasket fails is it possible for the antifreeze to get into the crank case? I have had this happen on some of my chrysler built engines but I have not seen any indications of contamination in this engine oil.

[jtgh]

anything anywhere.
depends on crack , but most likely coolant to cyclinder, and
exhaust gasses to coolant.
best to drain all fluids of engine on detection bad head gasket.
and pry OXY sensor survives.

[tcn426]

Thanks again, fingers are crossed, tearing into it tonight. If gasket shows no signs of failure (hope it does) I will probably yank the engine and maybe do a quick rebuild.

[Max]

If gasket shows no signs of failure (hope it does) I will probably yank the engine and maybe do a quick rebuild.

Slow down! All of the bets are not in yet.

I'll take a head crack / valve seating problem for double or nothing!