Losing a cylinder?

[LadyBug1542]

This past summer the fan belt blew and nearly killed my engine. She was running great before, but after I had a lot of trouble getting her started. In order to get started I have to pump the pedal a few times and hold it floored while the engine turns over and eventually catches. I had some work done but not everything it needed. They told me that I'm on less than 50% compression and in essence need a new engine. Things have not been getting worse but there is a new development. Every now and then the car lurches when I accelerate and tends to want to die at stoplights. My question is: am I losing another cylinder or could it be as simple as replacing my fuel pump because the line may be backed up a bit? This is a problem that I've never had to deal with before and we're going on ten years together! Any insight is much appreciated.

~emily

[mike-buggsbuggy]

Did they re-torque the bottom head bolts after over-heating? Sometimes I have seen some engines have some life(compression) remaining after over-heating. You would hear a popping sound when accelerating if the heads were leaking.

[sandman]

Compression is very important and probably the most accurate test of an engines condition. 50% loss is pretty serious. Without proper compression, combustion is limited. At 50%, combustion may not even be possible, your plugs will tell that story. Uneven compression could explain the lurching, Very low compression could explain the dying, it would be similar to a bad vacuum leak. My $.02 anyways....
If it were my engine I would want to know...
1) what is the actual compression for each cylinder (wet & dry)?
2) what is the factory comression compared to my readings?
3) What is the percentage difference between each cylinder? They should all be pretty close, no more than 10% between the highest and lowest reading.
4) use above information to determine cause of loss. ( Ring probs, or valve probs)

[GrandMaster B]

just go get some new pistions and jugs take it apart and put it back together

[LadyBug1542]

Thanks guys, you've been helpful. And no, there's no popping just the notoriously noisy engine.