I'll start off buy saying I have an 02 2.5 x type. I bought the car about 8 months ago within 2 months the motor blew. Got a replacement and now I have a check engine light. Brought it to a shop and they pulled the code and are saying #2 cylinder has low compressio. They told me it was the exhaust valve. I have two questions about this would they be able to tell it was the exhaust valve just by doing a compression test? Next question is there anything I can do to fix it without tearing the motor apart? I will be driving across the country soon and hoping it will make it. Any help will be greatly appreciated thank you

 

is it running rough any loss in power? do you know the code no. they pulled off the reader?
i don't think the DTC can see low compression in the cylinders only missfire

 

The only thing I notice is when the car is gold it will stutter slightly from a stop that is it otherwise it seems to be driving fine

 

You can't tell compression by a scan tool only a misfire on a specific cylinder. You can tell by sound, eg. a puffing sound from the exhaust if a exhaust valve is stuck open or a pop in the intake if a intake valve is stuck open, IF either is stuck shut there will be just a miss but the cylinder temperature will rise. The scan tool can only read what the computer tells it and OBD 2 systems are limited. There ARE other tests that can be done but not with a scan tool. A skilled technician can read other symptoms by removing the plug on the suspect cylinder or by sound of the miss fire.But to fix it the head must be removed. I would be sure it wasn't a bad coil or plug or injector first before I tore into the head. Unless you trust them they could charge you for a head job but replace just the coil,plug or injector. Just saying.If your not sure a second opinion is good!