No Compression to Engine

[rogasm]

Please be patient with me as my auto knowledge is somewhat limited. I was beginning to have overheating issues and made an appointment to bring my car to the mechanic (good friend of mine). I figured it was something along the lines of heating/cooling issue as I have read here numerous times. The night before I was to take my car in I had an issue immediately after start up. I was able to drive about 1/2 mile with the car shaking and rattling. It felt like a very rough idle. Finally I was a able to pull it over all the while everything shut down. Luckily my wife was there to drive me home! At that point I assumed it had something to do with the fuel pump as well., After having it towed to my buddy's shop the determination is a blown motor that is receiving no compression. Again, my knowledge is limited but it seems like a snap judgement considering they had the vehicle for about an hour before the phone call was made to deliver the news. It's a 2002 LS V8 with 107K miles on it.
My options at this point, per my buddy, is rebuild the engine for approx. 2K or scrap it where I may get about 1K from it.

 

[SoonerLS]

One hour seems a bit quick, but they could've done a compression test in that time--and if the problem showed up in the first few cylinders they tried, it wouldn't take very long at all to know that it had failed. You could always have it towed to another shop for a second opinion.

$2K doesn't seem unreasonable for a rebuild, but you do have two other options--buy a rebuilt engine or get one from a wrecked LS ('00-'02). I'd bet those options will cost more, though.

 

[LS4me]

Was your check engine light on? Have the coils ever been changed (the shaking and rough idle are classic failed coil symptoms)? Could also be a (or more) broken timing chain. For $2K what's being replaced?

 

[rogasm]

2K would cover a full engine rebuild. I have replaced the coils in the past, about a year ago. The check engine light has not been on and until the recent overheating issue there was no warning signs of any trouble.

 

[marcredd]

Rogasm, check your message inbox.