Current State of the Wagon.
The wagon is parked after cylinder #1 produced less than half the compression of the other three. I know where the mechanical problem is concentrated. Now I need a realistic plan, enough help, and the money to repair it correctly.
Progress, with one large asterisk.
The wagon is not finished. That part is probably obvious.
The interior feels better, the power locks work again, the thermostat replacement is complete, and I have made real progress understanding the engine problem. The bad news is that the newest evidence is much more specific than “it overheats sometimes.”
Cylinder #1 measured 61 psi twice. Cylinders #2, #3, and #4 each measured 140 psi. I also found clear liquid on the firing tip of the #1 spark plug, and coolant surged out of the radiator neck during testing.
That confirms a serious compression problem in cylinder #1. It does not yet prove whether the leak is through the head gasket, cylinder head, valves, piston, or rings.
After talking with my dad, I also had to admit that removing and reinstalling a turbo cylinder head is not a job I am prepared to tackle alone in my driveway. I still want to DIY the repair if we can make a safe, realistic plan together.
Cylinder #1 changed the plan.
The thermostat was replaced successfully, but the overheating and stalling continued. Pulling the spark plugs and testing compression finally gave the investigation a clear direction.
| Cylinder | Compression | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 61 psi | Major compression loss confirmed |
| #2 | 140 psi | Matches #3 and #4 |
| #3 | 140 psi | Matches #2 and #4 |
| #4 | 140 psi | Matches #2 and #3 |
Confirmed
Cylinder #1 has a major compression problem. The clear liquid on its plug and the coolant surge are also real observations.
Leading Explanation
A head-gasket or cylinder-head problem involving #1 fits the evidence better than the earlier, much wider list of theories.
Still Unknown
The exact leak path, whether the head is warped or cracked, and what parts the repair will require are not confirmed yet.
There are still plenty of wins.
Interior
- Sagging headliner improved with twist pins
- Power door locks working again after lubrication
- Dash chrome touched up with a paint pen
- Brittle trim repaired with clear epoxy
- Most original interior trim is still present
The inside feels much better than it did when the wagon arrived.
Electrical and Dash
- Disconnected cluster harness found
- Dimmer switch cleaned and investigated
- White dash LEDs ordered to shine through the original color
- Power locks revived without adding aftermarket keyless entry
- Cluster lighting and speedometer work remain incomplete
Some electrons are cooperating. Others have retained counsel.
The rest of the list did not disappear.
Paint and Body
- Orange-peel paint correction
- Primer burn-through repair
- Mystery roof filler investigation
- Continued sanding and body assessment
The paint project became much bigger than I expected, so it is paused behind the mechanical work.
Suspension
- Coil spring spacer attempt needs another approach
- Rear shock options still need research
- Ride quality needs improvement
None of this matters until the wagon can safely run and stay cool, but the list remembers.
Drivability
- Hard starting, especially after losing fuel pressure
- Stalling at stops and when shifted into gear
- Fuel smell after shutdown
- Hesitation or cutout under acceleration
Some of these symptoms may be connected. They still need their own tests after the engine's mechanical condition is understood.
Cluster and Speedometer
- Speedometer accuracy was already questionable
- Speedometer cable was difficult to reconnect
- Gear indicator started catching after cluster work
- Dash illumination is not fully sorted
Old plastic gets respect, so this work remains paused before enthusiasm breaks something rare.
The diagnosis has its own paper trail.
Low-Compression Engine Diagnosis
The new video and complete evidence trail, including why the wagon is parked and the larger project is paused.
Watch And Read The Update →2.2 Turbo Compression Test
The exact readings, the coolant geyser, and what the numbers do and do not prove.
Read the Test Results →Cooling System Diagnosis
The overheating story from the thermostat replacement through the newest evidence.
Read the Cooling Diagnosis →Head Gasket Saga
Why a head-gasket or cylinder-head problem is now the leading explanation, but not a confirmed verdict.
Read the Investigation →Thermostat Replacement
The replacement went smoothly. It just was not the cause of the overheating.
Read the Repair →Make a plan before opening the engine.
- Talk through the full job with my dad and decide whether we can tackle it together.
- Figure out a safe workspace, the tools we would need, and what help cannot be improvised in the driveway.
- Price the gaskets, machine-shop inspection, likely replacement parts, and the surprises that may appear during teardown.
- Perform a cylinder leak-down test when I am ready to continue the diagnosis and listen for air at the intake, exhaust, crankcase, and cooling system.
- Keep the wagon parked until the compression loss and overheating are repaired and verified.
Keep exploring.
Everything I've Done
The complete project timeline, including the newest diagnostic work.
View the Timeline →Start Here
The quickest introduction to the wagon, the project, and the most useful repairs.
Start Here →2.2 Turbo Survival Guide
General 2.2 Turbo troubleshooting alongside the real evidence from this wagon.
Read the Guide →The wagon is waiting. I am not done.
The tests found the weak cylinder. The next chapter is building a realistic repair plan and waiting until I can do the job correctly.