More k series woes

[comfortablynumb]

Afternoon all,
Car is an ‘03 freelander 1.8, if it makes any difference, probably not
EML on, when tested comes up with misfire, not generally apparent when driving. Further investigation has established ( not by me, IVE not had chance to get at it yet) that compression is down on no2
I’m going to try the oil trick to see if its rings or head, but has anyone had similar faults? The engine was a breakers unit, and i fitted a new cambelt about 6 months ago. Although i don't want to, I'm assuming I'm going to have to remove the head,
Garage has told owners that it could be a faulty injector?? Since when does that loose compression?
All and any suggestion, or just taking the curse word might take the pain away!
TIA

[Phil H]

Low compression = duff injector? New one on me..

[rapidyellow]

have owned K Series MG ZR's for years and similar faults are usually linked to the front O2 sensor, you have not said if its running lumpy or using a lot of fuel, the sensors arent dear from ebay new.

[comfortablynumb]

Thanks, they have said it seems a bit juicy, think ill try that first, cheaper than doing the head!

[ChasR]

Oct 15, 2019 11:56:39 GMT Phil H said:

Low compression = duff injector? New one on me..

Bore wash from an iffy injector, which will lead to a shot bore.

A friend has had it happen to his Mitsubishi 3000GTT, and I’ve seen a few M5 engines get written off over that (they fail open).

Of course, it’s damage that no one wants.

[Phil H]

Ah yes - but I’d expect plumes of blue smoke too?

I read it as “you’ve got low compression which we can fix by replacing an injector”.

[dog]

Start with the basics, these engines suffer from head gasket issues and holes burnt in pistons, best to start with a compression test, if that's ok do a head gasket sniff test, then move on from there.
Just a thought, did it run ok prior to the cambelt if it did, go back to your cambelt its probably timed wrong.

[stealthstylz]

Had a similar issue before and the timing was a tooth out.

[comfortablynumb]

Thanks all, have ordered o2 sensors (both) at£19 each its the cheapest option, and yes their garage did say low comp could be the injector, I've still not seen it myself yet, it ran fine after the cambelt change, but after a while eml started flashing and is now on constantly, hopefully getting at it this week

[comfortablynumb]

Oh and no smoke, and wasnt using coolant last time i heard

[ChasR]

Oct 19, 2019 5:47:53 GMT Phil H said:

Ah yes - but I’d expect plumes of blue smoke too?

I read it as “you’ve got low compression which we can fix by replacing an injector”.

You can lose some compression and still not have it that noticeable.

I've seen diesels bend a rod slightly before from a faulty injector.

[Phil H]

Depends how low surely? -20% below the other 3 pots isn’t so much in the great scheme of things (although cause for concern). 90% down is another matter.

[ChasR]

How low is it? If 90%, I'd be inclined to agree with that , but he's not stated the difference. 20% should also cause it to run OK as well.

Agreed on checking the timing being OK. They can just slip by foreign debris entering the belt area.