[AUSSIE900]

I would still like to know why the car doesnt start , yeah sure it will run like crap with a failed head gasket , but wasnt the initial issue that it ran beautifully then all of a sudden did not , in fact would not even start , If the mechanic is to be trusted and is competent then there are discrepancies in the relaying of the chain of events here , You dont go from 150/90 Months ago and driving fine , to then having absolute zero compression... to then having a wet comprssion test back to the same figures of when the motor was installed. It does not happen .

I asked the question early in this thread , or at least made the suggestion to remove the valve cover and check the timing marks , that has never been answered , . It would of been nice knowing why it didnt actually start , even if the rings or head gasket need doing ,
I will bow out but this chain of events is totally illogical to me . Good luck with the rebuild

 

[jvanabra]

If the head gasket is blown between two cylinders it might not start. It'll start on 3 but not on two usually.

 

[AUSSIE900]

If the head gasket is blown between two cylinders it might not start. It'll start on 3 but not on two usually.

Yeah for sure , but the current readings reported 150/90 (supporting HG fail ) are the same readings from back when it ran beautifully ( as reported ) ... The whole scenario should not be one where a Saab specialist is saying they havent seen anything like it in 30 years , there should be no great mystery or inabilty to diagnose simply .
As said I find it illogical

 

[jvanabra]

A+ - would read again. Chalking this up to mystery makes me uneasy!

 

[SAAB-5]

Aussie-900, Sorry I didn’t see your reply, The shop owner informed me when he first started diagnosing the issue that he checked the time was spot on with no issue with the timing chain,tension or cams. The ring diagnosis had me baffled as well. No smoking or consumption of oil. As I have said the engine was solid that is why I placed it in a new body without any maintenance to the motor while it was out of the car. When I get the motor back I will post what I find.