wrote:
> Hi all
>
> I have a 1996 Saturn SL2 143,000 miles. Was running fine not a
> problem. Then Yesterday morning I started it up and the engine
> had a miss. Ran rough. Figured a wire plug or pack. Drove it over to
> the local shop. He found 0 compression in the #3 cylinder I mean
> 0 . Shot some oil in and the compression was still 0. Took the valve
> cover off all looked fine nothing broken. He is not sure what's wrong
> at this point. Whole in piston a valve ??? Compression good in other
> cylindesr. So no bridge between cylinders. Remember the compression
> gauge did not move. Any Ideas without pulling the head.
>
> Thanks Ron

You newver mention if the technician perform and cylinder leakage test.
He would be able to erify if it is the valves/rings/head gasket/ head
leaking. All that can be done without the valve cover taken off.