No. 3 Cylinder not firing

[ejp2fast]

I just did the head gasket on my '91 Festiva GL auto. I have it back together and the 3rd cylinder is not firing correct. I know this b/c while the engine is running, i pulled the spark plug wires off each individual spark plug and for 1, 2, and 4 the engine idled real rough when i pulled each... for the 3rd though, the engine did not hiccup at all. I replaced all the plug wires, and spark plugs... and there is sufficient spark.. i swapped spark plugs and its not that... oh, btw, the no 3 spark plug is BLACK and 1,2, and 4 are still very WHITE (being new) which makes me think that the injector is stuck open (at least getting fuel)... then i checked that as it was clicking when the engine was running... so the solenoid is going up and down.... then today to make sure it wasn't the injector i swapped no 4 cylinder injector w/ no. 3... still the same symptoms...
so now i think its a valve... i need to check the compression next... if a valve is sticking, what would i need to do? please tell me i don't have to take my head off again. Thanks

[FestYboy]

if you have a sticking valve, there's only one way to fix it, and you don't want to hear the answer. better than a compression test, do a leak-down test, you can determine which valve before pulling the head.

[ejp2fast]

when a valve sticks, what is happening? can i do it just taking off the valve cover, and not the head?

[miami man]

about 2o years ago it was said to take the valve cover off then hook up a timiming light to that cylnder run the engine point the timimg light to the valve and it should not be moving when firing. i never tried this so you are on your own.

[FestYboy]

^ that would work, but you'll blow oil everywhere....

when a valve sticks, it's usually in the open position (unless you have a broken valve rocker or bad lobe). to fix you must remove the head.... sorry. confirm bad valve w/ leak-down test.

[WmWatt]

When the exhaust valve on my #3 cylinder was not closing properly due to a build up of carbon deposits it blew a black smudge on the underside of the valve cover. If there is a smudge on the underside of your valve cover it would be over the problem valve. If there is no black smudge on the underside of your valve cover you'll need to find another way of identifying the problem valve. Yes, the compression on my #3 cylinder was low. A chemical cleaner added to the oil dissolved the carbon buildup and compression returned to normal.

Lucky for we Festiva owners the engine is free wheeling with no interference between the valves and pistons. That's why I don't like Hondas very much, if the timing belt goes the engine could be ruined.

[b3 madness]

Do a compression test for sure, but I would suspect a burnt exhaust valve. I have experience this twice now with my older B3 engines.

[ejp2fast]

ok, heres the scoop. cylinders 1,2, and 4 read 173-175 psi on the compression.. which is great. number 3 read 60 psi. I put some clean oil in no. 3 cyl and the compression doubled to 120 psi... so something is up with my rings. To make sure that there was no buildup in the rings, i sprayed gum out into the chamber every 30 minutes for about 3-4 hours.... then i changed the oil. Put a little bit of oil back into the cylinder to lubricate the walls and started it up and drove it for a little bit to get the temp up and did a compression check and number 3 cyl was at 60 psi still... arrgg .. any suggestions? I KNOW i'll need to do the rings... but is there anything to do temporarily w/o removing the head? Thanks.

[Dave G]

Maybe try a really hot spark plug in #3 and hope it fires?

[FestYboy]

LEAK DOWN TEST!!!!!!!!!! Dude!

[funky technician]

you may have disturbed a valve seat from haveing the head off, you may need to re-lap that valve, but this also requires head removal,....sorry

[md11mx]

I would bet rings. Do a leak down test and listen to oil filler, intake and exhaust.

[5.0zone]

That's exactly what my engine was doing on the same cylinder at 265,000 miles.
I fixed it by replacing the engine. :shock:
It was using a lot of oil anyway.

[ejp2fast]

replacing the engine would be nice.. if i could find one...

[funky technician]

weird how the #3 seems to fail first on these engines when they get old