Low compression engine

135psi is the low end but anything around 140 to 150 psi is really good engine for 1.6 l, i would check the timing is right as this can affect the compression.

possible on a diesel
definitely not on a petrol

i guess your engine had jumped valve timing due to broken plastic chain tensioners/slipper pads, common problem. are you sure you have got the valve timing right? not easy to do without the special tools. the compressions are to low they should be 165 psi minimum. you could have valve damage. if your engine had the old plastic tensioners then it is more than likeley to be one of engines with nicosil coated cylinder bores which wear out quickley. which will give low compression readings, recheck your valve timing first. you need a crankshaft timing tool which fits in place of the crankshaft position sensor on the flywheel housing and 2 camshaft locking bars to fit over the 2 camshafts on each bank.it is critical to get it right, hope this helps.

Depending on the engine size, and if all cylinders are low, the timing belt may have jumped a few teeth.

If cylinder compression is too low, the car may not even start because of it. Have a shop do a compression test or a leak-down test to check the internal health of your engine. A good engine should have pressures of 150-200 psi in all cylinders and be close to each other. A worn or high mileage engine may have pressure as low as, say 125 psi, but if still balanced (close readings), would still run decent. Compression below that, especially below 100 psi, is serious trouble. ignition spark refuses to ignite the air/fuel mixture and you get a misfire-a non-working cylinder. Low compression can be caused by worn piiston rings or poor valve sealing. Low compression in 1 or 2 cylinders can be a valve problem, burned valves or valves not seating properly.
A leak-down test will check each cylinder and if there is a problem, the test will find the cause of the problem.

Mark the position on your distributor first Loose by 1or2 turns distributor unit bolts 2 or 3 of the mount of distributor and rotate left or right . Let somebody start the engine for 5 min and than rotate distributor half millimetre and you rev the engine and you feel quick rev up .For low compression is better to give compression test .

Low compression is likely indicating excessive cylinder wear, and worn out piston rings. If the engine is using (losing) coolant, then check for a bad head gasket. If you could post type of engine, and other symptioms (oil usage, backfiring, etc..) I could help more precisely.

missing and cutting out are two different things. You should probably bite the bullet and take it to a repair shop.

There can be several causes for low compression.
Chck the obvious first. the spark plugs must be checked that they are all in good condition. not burnt, the gap must be good( for your engine).Check the wires and coil so that good spark is obtained. Blue spark , not weak yellow spark. After everything is good. Check the cylinders to see if they have compression. To test the cylinders do the procedures shown below.

If the cylinder shows little leakdown or holds good compression when a little oil is squirted into the cylinder (wet compression test), it would tell you that the engine needs new valve guide seals and/or guide work. Most late model import engines have positive valve guide seals. Often, the guides are fine, but the seals are worn or cracked. The seals can be replaced on some engines without too much effort and without having to remove the head.

compression test will help you determine if the oil is getting past the valve guides or the rings. If the cylinder shows little leakdown or holds good compression when a little oil is squirted into the cylinder (wet compression test), it would tell you that the engine needs new valve guide seals and/or guide work. Most late model import engines have positive valve guide seals. Often, the guides are fine, but the seals are worn or cracked. The seals can be replaced on some engines without too much effort and without having to remove the head.

finally if the rings on one or more of the pistons can caus compression leak. It must be located and fixed.