Originally Posted by Topless (Post 441631)

Maybe have a shop scope the offending cylinder and see what's up. If it's just a valve spring it's a pretty easy fix. If a grenade went off in there then swap the motor and keep on driving. Lots of decent motors sitting at dismantlers still for not to much money. I'm not ready to dump the car yet.

Find a local indy shop with lots of 986 experience through your local PCA.

Originally Posted by Jamesp (Post 441744)

+1 or buy an inexpensive scope and do it yourself. If the piston is damaged or there is anything in the cylinder that should not be, the cost for repair is very likely more than the car is worth. something beat up that spark plug and it wasn't a non functional valve. Pulling the valve cover off is more work than just scoping the cylinder.

Originally Posted by healthservices (Post 441787)

go to Harbor freight and get a borescope or if time is not an issue anymore ...
5M 6 LED Waterproof USB Borescope Snake Inspection Endoscope Tube Camera Mirror | eBay

Then pull the coil, plug, and take a peak.

Otherwise tow it down here, I would not mind playing with it. Give me 1700 and Ill do a straight R+R, of course thats not including parts or any add ons you want to do. I even have a inexpensive tow guy.

Originally Posted by KRAM36 (Post 441737)

Pull the spark plug from from cylinder 4, since that's the cylinder the had no compression in your first post and see if it looks something like this.

Originally Posted by fab986 (Post 441817)

While doing the diagnostic the shop removed and replaced all plugs with new plugs to rule-out any problems coming from the plugs. He didn't mentioned any major damages to the plugs except the following in his report: "R&R all spark plugs, found plugs to be carbon tracked"

Originally Posted by KRAM36 (Post 441829)

I would say that's somewhat good news. Let healthservices have a crack at it if you have the funds.

BTW: I searched Harbor Freight for borescope and they didn't show one.

Originally Posted by particlewave (Post 441834)

Sometimes called an "inspection camera".

http://m.harborfreight.com/digital-inspection-camera-61839.html

Originally Posted by KRAM36 (Post 441839)

Thanks! Very cool, I want one just to play with it now lol.

Originally Posted by KRAM36 (Post 441829)

Let healthservices have a crack at it if you have the funds.

Originally Posted by particlewave (Post 441822)

Everyone should have a borescope. Absolutely invaluable in situations like this (or about a million others).
I use mine all the time.

I also have that USB camera endoscope that healthservices linked above and it works just fine. It's a little more awkward to need to have your laptop with you to view the image, but not terribly inconvenient.

Originally Posted by fab986 (Post 441851)

Sorry to ask but what is Healthservices (beside the obvious medical term)?

Originally Posted by healthservices (Post 441787)

go to Harbor freight and get a borescope or if time is not an issue anymore ...
5M 6 LED Waterproof USB Borescope Snake Inspection Endoscope Tube Camera Mirror | eBay

Then pull the coil, plug, and take a peak.

Otherwise tow it down here, I would not mind playing with it. Give me 1700 and Ill do a straight R+R, of course thats not including parts or any add ons you want to do. I even have a inexpensive tow guy.

Originally Posted by fab986 (Post 441856)

Quick question: Is it possible to remove the camshaft cover without taking the engine out of the car?

Originally Posted by fab986 (Post 441854)

Actually, I'm pretty disappointed and angry at the shop owner because when I asked him if he used a borescope too look into the cylinders to see if he could find any damage he told me that he didn't because it's too difficult and too deep on those cars. Is it really?

Originally Posted by KRAM36 (Post 441855)

Healthservices is the person who if offering this help to you.

Originally Posted by healthservices (Post 441787)

go to Harbor freight and get a borescope or if time is not an issue anymore ...
5M 6 LED Waterproof USB Borescope Snake Inspection Endoscope Tube Camera Mirror | eBay

Then pull the coil, plug, and take a peak.

Otherwise tow it down here, I would not mind playing with it. Give me 1700 and Ill do a straight R+R, of course thats not including parts or any add ons you want to do. I even have a inexpensive tow guy.