possible engine rebuild

After doing a tune up, lower intake gasket replacement, and fuel injector replacement on my 98 yukon the engine light was still on. I ran the truck for a week to see if it would smooth out with no avail so i took it back to the mechanic that had done the intake( i did the tune up and injectors after this myself). A compression check was done on the vehicle and it was determined that #5 was not up to par. It checked out at around 80 - 90 psi while two others (7,8)checked at around 125 psi. The guy said to correct this problem i need to get the motor rebuilt. Now i am really disgusted after all to hear this. So i drive it for a week or so after this diagnosis and the check engine light begins to blink when i hit around 35 mph. So now after about two weeks with the light blinking it has went off. Considering it might have been the bulb, i saw that it illuminated when the vehicle is first turned on like normal. Also it still has a miss. Is getting the motor rebuilt the only way i can correct this problem? If so, how long do i have before i have to get it done?

What engine?

You state that #5 cylinder is at 80-90 psi, did he recheck it after adding a couple of squirts of oil in that cylinder?? (adding oil on that cylinder will tell you if the rings are weak, compression should increase if rings are weak and valves are not burnt or carboned up).

What does spark plug look like after running for a period of time on # 5 cylinder?

You say that the CEL has been on, have you had the codes checked?
Go to autozone, checkers to have the codes read for free and post them.

Do you have a list of the compression on all cylinders?

Does the engine use oil?
Does the coolant level stay the same at all times?

Driving it like this will not kill the engine. While the compression is not ideal a immediate rebuild is not necessary.

On V8 engines the cylinders starting from the front of the engine are:
Left bank---1,3,5,7
Right bank- 2,4,6,8

A compression check should be done with all spark plugs removed.

it is a 350 5.7. from my knowledge he did not recheck with oil added. i was in the wait room then he called me to show what he found.

the plugs didn't look as if i had just put them in a month and a half ago, but no oil on the plug if that's what you asking.

the light is not on anymore (but it still has the miss in the engine). It went off about 3 weeks ago. Before it went off for about two weeks it would start flashing after 35-40 mph. I do not believe he checked all cylinders because when he showed me what he was doing he only had #5 & 7 out. So i don't have the readings for all cylinders. I have been thinking to go to someone else for a second opinion.

I do a regular oil change every 3,000 miles and when i check it at about 2000 it is kinda low. With the coolant i have to check it every 3 weeks and add more. I didn't think it should have been like this since i just had my lower intake gasket and water pump done. I was told by someone else that with the mileage(136956) its to be expected.

When you did the tune up did you use Bosch platinum plugs or OEM's?

To help restore the compression you can try some auto-rx. I've used this on my saturn to help restore its compression. At last comp test I had an increase of 10-15 psi and that was in the first application. Its got 172K miles on it so I'll need a second application.

i used ac delco. not sure if they platinum but they were about $6 apiece. What is auto-rx?

i used ac delco. not sure if they platinum but they were about $6 apiece. What is auto-rx?
Shouldn't have a problem with those plugs my concern was with the bosch plats as GM's don't like them.

www.auto-rx.com

Auto-Rx® stops seal leaks and renews seals.

·Auto-Rx® provides residual lubricity because the cleaned components allow polar bonding of motor oil to components.

·Auto-Rx® results in decreased emissions because the ring pack is cleaned and the valves seal better.

·Auto-Rx® rejuvenates seals and swell, with decreased or eliminated leaks.

·Auto-Rx® restores the vehicle to maximum efficiency.

·Auto-Rx® decreases oil consumption.

·Auto-Rx® saves turbo bearings by cleaning high-temperature carbon deposits.

·Auto-Rx® replaces the need for oil additives and solvent flushes.

·Auto-Rx® enables the motor oil to lubricate parts more effectively.

Before getting it rebuilt if it needs it,check into a reman.Sometimes it is cheaper than rebuilding the engine with a better warranty.Jasper is one and the best,3 year 100,000 mile warranty and probally cheaper than a GM reman.A rebuilt engine done right has a 1 or 2year warranty.

Since last month my yukon has killed on me crossing a major intersection, kinda hesitate to start, oil gets low after 2 months or about 2000 - 2500 miles, and smokes. I have decided to just replace the motor with a good remanufactured one. What i want to know is since i just did a tune up in november and may have driven the vehicle a total of two months since i was having a few problems (distributor timing, fuel injectors, and the previous), do i need new spark plugs, wires, and distirbutor or are these good enough to use with the remaned motor. I plan on changing the hoses to the radiator and the belt since i don't think they have ever been changed.

Also what else is it that i should do?

If all those tune up parts are 2 months old resuse them, remember this stalling issue will not be corrected with a new engine!