2.2 head gasket?

[cavalieronyc]

hi i just did a compression test on my 2001 cavalier with 123,000 miles and it shows that cylinder 1 misfires, and i have only 6 psi on the cylinder. my car never runs more than 195 temp even in the summer with the ac on now in winter nyc traffic it barely reaches 185. is it because i changed thermostat and flushed out dexcool and put in Prestone 50/50 in May 2009? i added one bottle on rislone 20 oz compression repair and seal and drove it for about 100 miles and seems to idle and run much better? should i change head gasket or keep driving? also my exhaust has smoke which i think is vapor beacuse only on wet cold and humid days i see it not on sunny warm days?

[cavalieronyc]

it might be the spectre cold air intake i need to get rid of it i ordered an original GM 2.2 cavalier sunfire one from ebay with new stp air filter need to wait wil let you know

[danielsatur]

I would go for a new head gasket, because of low compression on cylinder 1.
If compression was good, I would give www.steelseal.com a try.

[hopnlx]

you said you did a compression test! Now you should do a wet compression test. Drop 3 drops of motor oil into the cylinder and do the compression test again. If the compression value goes up then your into a new set of rings but if it doesn't change then your into a head gasket. Hope this helps.

[rhandwor]

If the test indicates a head problem. Pull the valve cover you may have a broken or cracked valve spring. These can be changed by using compressed air to hold the valve closed or a piece of clothesline put into the cylinder and rotate engine by hand to close the valves.
Putting air into the cylinder will give you a good indication of what's going on in the cylinder.