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Hi all,

Just put an EJ22 into an L series, and when doing a test start, the engine fires out the intake followed by smoke. The fuel system is working properly, and the injectors are working, new spark plugs also and these are all sparking well.

Did a compression test and Im not sure I like the results: Drivers side Front Cylinder: 0 PSI
Drivers side Rear Cylinder: 0 PSI
Passenger side Front Cylinder: 75 PSI
Passenger side Rear Cylinder: 75 PSI

I understand those readings spell bad things but could there be a ligitimate reason for this? Sticking valves?
Took off a timing belt cover and the belt is still intact and the wheels moving correctly, took the Rocker covers off and the valves seem to be moving right, but im not too familiar with troubleshooting these engines.

Any ideas or explainations would be awesome cause this project has been a bit of a headache lol.
Thanks guys.

Definitely sounds something like a timing issue.

Yeah, sounds like the cam sprocket is off by a tooth or two

Do you know the engines previous history?

Better hope the valves have not been bent if it has slipped a tooth.

What sort of compression tester are you using? Are you sure it is seating correctly?
Sounds a bit like valves are either jammed open or bent, or dirty big holes in pistons...

LOL redo your timing belt. using the strokes not the arrows

forget about those compression results.

valves should be ok coz its an EJ22

Yeah I was under the impression that ej22s have a non-invasive valve set-up so that if they are out they wont get munted by the pistons or other valves.

Engine history:
Bought from a wrecker, apparently running before he sold it. (hmph)

Compression Tester:
Not sure, but its just a thread with a tube then a guage. You thread this into the spark plug hole. Tried to make sure its sealed.

Valves:
They may be stuck a bit.
But ill make sure the marks are aligned on the cam sprockets, not the arrows.

Thanks guys all ideas are appreciated.