My wife let the engine in our 87 K over heat to the point it stalled and wouldnt start. When you turn the key it turns over but sounds like a a lawn tractor turning over. A mechanic looked at it and it has low compression in 3 cyl, there is no oil in the coolant or vice versa, he said he could fix it cheap but its going to use oil ( before this happened it used a half a quart between changes.) because the temper in the rings might be gone this is causing the low compression. Before I start thinking about a new engine or rebuild, what else should be looked into Im having another mechanic look at, I did feel confident in the one my car was towed to.
The engine was maintained on a regular basis from new I know this from looking at its service records from day one that came with it when I bought it. I hope to get it up and running for the spring.

 

You might have head damage,that is often the first thing to happen.
You can try doing a leakdown test and see where you are loosing the air,or just pull the head and check everything because it has to come apart anyway.

 

Thats what I was thinking, thankfully if the head is toast I still get new one from NAPA for $450 + core.

 

From what I hear,you might also consider a water pump and timing belt while you are in there.

 

Thanks for the tip.