95 Grand Am 2.3 ltr. DOHC. Just recently the car would not start. Did a compression check wet and dry. Zero's across the board. Checked timing chain....good. Replaced head gasket 5 yrs ago with no problems up till now. The car turns over, but sounds funny, like no compression, which the compression gauge confirms. Any other ideas? Thanks.

 

Did you check if both the cam sprokets are turning when the engine cranks?

 

yes, I did. They are both turning.

 

2.3's are known to jump timing. you checked to see if everything was turning, but did you actually check to see if the timing was set correctly?

 

Yes....just replaced the chain as well. Everything is aligned properly. Still no compression all the way accross.

 

blown head gasket, bent valves. How many miles on the motor? Did the issue just all of a sudden happen, or did it progressively run worse to the point it would not start?

you said it sounds funny, describe "funny"

 

You know, now that you mention it, when I did go out to start it that day, it sounded like it did have compression to a point, then it sounded like it lost compression all of a sudden.

Sounds funny.....just as in she just turns over very easy. Sounds like no compression, with or without the plugs in. Sounds the same.

 

are the cams actually turning (i know the sprockets are, but is the whole cam turning). I've heard of cars breaking camshafts, albeit, not typical. It's happened.

Coolant in the oil? or visa versa? plugs wet? big *** hole in the block? Something is stuck open, either it be a broken cam, or a severely messed up cylinder head.

 

Yea there is coolant in the oil...forgot to mention that! 142k miles. When I replaced the chain, sprockets, etc. the end of the cams were fine, they're turning as well.

 

coolant in the oil is a blown head gasket, which is why you have no compression.