Dead cylinder

[Adem408]

I have an OMC SeaDrive 1.6L model# 2BAXCR that has lost compression in the lower port side cylinder. I am hoping some of you can answer a few questions for me. 1) What would cause me to lose compression in one cylinder only. 2) Does the VRO fuel/oil system work off this cylinder?<br />The powerhead was replaced and ran for a few hours last year with no problem. This year upon start-up I get a beeping alarm which I believe is a no oil condition and my mechanic told me there is low compression in the one cylinder. He has not diagnosed the cause and I am trying to do some "homework" on the issue. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Dead cylinder

There are lots of possibilities. Stuck ring, broken ring, blown gasket, scored cylinder... Another member, a long time and respected member of this forum (and if I could remember his name I would give him credit)[edit: found it. It was Upinsmoke] suggested just the other day to try a decarb first with seafoam. If it is a stuck ring it might loosen it up. Otherwise you need to pull the head and look at it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Dead cylinder

Yes -- Decarb is the most inexpensive first attempt at fixing a compression problem. But then looking into the spark plug hole to see if there is a hole in the top of the piston is another quick check. Don't blame the VRO. VRO's don't selectively pick a cylinder to destroy. If the engine was rebuilt one should have determined why it failed in the first place. Simply repairing the damage and determining why it happened leaves you wide open to it happening again -- which may very well be the case. Usually its due to carbs that run lean due to neglect.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Dead cylinder

Lean running due to a carb with some crap in it is the most common cause of cylinder down, as up pointed out. Oiling failure normally affects all cylinders and it's not driven by "a cylinder".

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Dead cylinder

I would contact who ever did the rebuild.A replaced powerhead and a few hours running last year DOESN'T add up to bad compression this year.<br /><br />Also a few hours runtime doesn't add up to a 'decarb' need.<br /><br />DHP