engine light started blinking when going up hills, now it is always on

[jfoxxtail]

Alright, all done with the spark plugs and still idles rough. Light is still flashing and I have checked all the hoses. There is a really strong scent of gas and the plugs that I just pulled out (they were only in for about 150-200 kms) were a bit wet and oily too. It was as if it was almost flooding if that is possible. What to do now? Will it keep running or do I have to worry about it quitting? I am going on holidays with it and I am wondering if it will be alright. Thanks.

[old_master]

Check the fuel pressure. Key on, engine off, fuel pump running, pressure must be 60 to 66psi. After pump shuts off, (2 to 3 seconds) pressure must remain above 55psi for 3 to 5 minutes. Post your results.

[jfoxxtail]

Hey Old Master, I have just had a compression test done today and I have 2 dead cylinders!!! *!@#*!!! What to do now? Is it savlagable or should I send it to the junk yard? I just had a new engine put in out of another blazer that was totalled. Any suggestions? I just recieved a phone call to come and pick it up at the shop where the work was done. That is all I know for now.

[old_master]

Depends what the problem is whether to get another engine or fix this one. Need to diagnose it a little more. What were the compression readings?

[jfoxxtail]

The work order I recieved doesn't have the readings, just says that cylinder 1 and 6 have no compression.
I have a couple of questions: Is there much you can tell from the readings? How much work is it to fix the cylinders? Is it possible for a one-man operation to tackle the problem? Just me and my spouse are available to work on it. Do you think it will be alright to drive for a while? I got all the tools and time but need to get it about 10 hrs from here. Think it will be alright to drive that far on 4 cylinders? Thanks

[16th hippy]

no compression could be anything from bad piston rings to head gasket/cracked block or head(s) to bad valves. for it to be on 2 different sides of engine is odd, and master is right. more diag is needed.

[old_master]

Not a good idea to drive it, more damage might be done to it. Might want to rent a car dolly and tow it there. Did they do a cylinder leakage test, or pull a rocker arm cover off, or put it on a scope, or anything, other than just a compression test? It could even be that the timing chain jumped.

[ken_man_1]

Just an idea, but is it possible that the timing chain slipped a tooth or 2? That happened to me on an old f*rd br*nc* I owned before I wised up to GM.

[jfoxxtail]

Hey there, the guy who did the compression test was at a GM dealer and he said that there was just no compression in 1 and 6. He did not have the results which is a bit fishy but he was adamant that the cylinders were dead. He did not pull anything to check so I am still holding out hope that it is not too major of a problem.
If 2 cylinders were gone I dont think that it would even be able to run. It runs fine after about 20 mph, cant even tell there is anything wrong except that the light blinks. Could it be that one of the sensors could be faulty? I am taking to a friend that I trust just so he could "really" take a look and see what may be wrong. I'll mention the timing thing though.
The truck runs fine except for when it is idling.

[old_master]

If the timing chain jumps, valve timing and ignition timing both retard. Symptons would be rough or no idle, extremely hard starting, hesitation on acceleration, loss of power, low or no compression on at least one cylinder, (and probably more than one). If RPM can be increased, the symptoms are less noticeable. There are no sensors that can affect compression. Get the numbers and post them.