Lost power and rough idle

[pete925]

After a rainy week riding my 95 Wrangler 2.5 YJ here in Los Angeles, the jeep lost power seem like a fouled spark plug on the 4 banger motor. I checked the plugs and replaced them but still the same. I checked the fuel injecttion system and seems like the gas is going through. I checked for compression and voila, the 2 middle cylinders are showing weak compression at below 50. The two end cyclinders are showing readings of 125. Before I go any further with the help of my mechanic buddy, Can anyone tell me if this is a piston ring problem with major engine overhaul or is this just a cylinder head gasket problem. The motor lost power but I was able to drive it home for about 15 more miles with no overheating problems although the engine was pinging loud on high gear. Any advice or input would be much appreciated.

Ps: The Jeep has 103K miles on it with very light off road and flood experience.

Thanks,

Pete

[chuckp]

Probabally nothing more than a head gasket. They like to blow out between the center 2 cylinders.

[pete925]

Thanks Chuck! I got to work on the Jeep yesterday and you were right about the gasket breaking between the 2 middle cylinder. This is also a great chance to replace a lot of worn out parts and resurrect the good ole Jeepster!