5sfe weak # 2 cylinder

[andyp762]

Earlier this month I've noticed that my engine has become nervous at idle. I checked all spark plugs which were light tan (gapped at .043), checked all my plug wires resistances (-25kohms). Checked all injectors connectors w/a noid light (all bright). I swapped fuel injectors #1 & #2 around (still persists.) Checked timing belt marks (O.k.) Removed valve cover checked camshaft gears (aligned) I performed a compression ck. Cyl 1,3, and 4 between 170-180 psi. #2 60 psi and #2wet 150psi it smoked and ran like crap after that for about 10 minutes. Maybe the rings?? The car does not smoke at all I even had a friend follow while driving, no oil consumption what so ever. I connected a vacuum guage 17 in it pulls with the need shaking but within the 17 in. as if there is valve overlapin a high performance engine. I mention all this because 3.5 months ago I replaced the head gasket,valve stem seals and lapped the valves because it sometimes smoked a little bit of oil at start up. replaced the oil pump,water pump, timing belt, and oil pan gasket. It ran great w/ no leaks and good fuel economy. I'm tempted to A, replace the engine or B,remove the head for further inspection. Which one should I go with?

[toyomoho]

Sounds like the rings. Add some oil to cylinder and recheck compression to determine if it increases with the oil sealing the piston/cylinder off.

Typically the cheapest route is used engine. If the cylinder wall is not damaged, you might just rework the one cylinder with the engine still in the car.

[Luckynumber5]

Sounds like the rings in #2 have gone.

[andyp762]

I bought a complete junkyard engine with a broken timing belt for $300. They think it has bent valves, but what they do not know is that it's not an interference engine. I'll be using alot of existing parts on my motor now on the one I just brought