93 Grand Am with a Rough idle

[kenney58]

I just bought a 93 grand am for my son. It has a SOHC Quad 4 and automatic transmission.
The previous owner said while on their way home from work it went running rough when they came upon a stop light. They took it into a local garage and was told (after mechanic was able to pull 3 of 4 plugs) that he done a compression test on it and the cylinders were 100 lbs, 60 lbs and 60 lbs.. Therfore after the mechanic then told them the head was about to blow, they decided to sell the car.
I bought it well worth the money with intent to replace the SOHC Quad 4.
After starting it to drive home with its rough idle, I kicked it down and it runs great. It does have exhaust noise as a leaking converter and/or muffler, but it has alot of power for a car that was to have such low compression on 2 cylinders.
It does not get hot and water and oil is as it should be.
The car has 122000 miles on it.
But as I said it idles rough to where you think it is going to die.

Any thought as to what might be the trouble?
Maybe it is something more simple than a engine replacement.

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF !!

I would guess the low compression is whats causing the rough idle. Tho you probly wont know why its low without pulling the head or further diagnostics.

Not to expensive just to replace/repair a head and the gaskets, $400-500 should cover these costs.
Tho if it was the rings causing the low compr. then it'll cost a little more for repairs. Not to difficult to disassemble the SOHC.

Good Luck!

[kenney58]

I have contacted several local shops around and everyong here in SW MO wants anywhere from $750 - $900 to replace the head gasket.
They tell me it is a very hard job to do and infact they have even stated that if I would rather replace the engine that they would pull it and reinstall from $475 - $550.
I may try to do the head gasket myself, as I have done some mechainc work myself in the past.
It surely cant be that bad, IS IT?

[xeroinfinity]

Sounds like theyre feeding you some crap, the SOHC isnt that difficult, compared to the DOHC.

I'll PM you a link for the procedure!

[kenney58]

Yes, send me a link so that I can simplify the replacement of the head gasket. Just let me know what I need to do in order to receive it. THANKS

[kenney58]

I Got The Location,,,,,, I Just Did Not Look Far Enough,,,,,, Thanks,,,,maybe Somewhere Down The Line I Can Give You Some Helpful Info.......again Thank....kenney