As to donbrew reply,

I used a rod in each sparkplug hole to measure the traval of the pistons as I cranked, (as I mentioned in my earlier post. Yes I did the compression test and leak down test properly with the right equipment. I
Had the vavle cover off and cam and lifters seem good and are moving as they should when cranked. The timing chain looks good as well (no visible damage and tight). I also inspected the exterior of the engine block and no visible damage. Oil is clean and no debris.

 

Sorry, codes read....


P0011
P0014

 

Those codes indicate a problem with the Timing chain has jumped at least 1 tooth. Together they mean that both the exhaust and intake valves are too far advanced.

 

You have to remove the front engine cover to inspect the timing chain is aligned correctly.

 

I wouldn't worry about the codes or the timing chain - from what you said in your initial post you have much more serious problems with the engine. You have no compression in cyl #3, and the piston is not attached to anything (ie broken con rod) -
- "I performed a compression test and the #3 cylinder has zero compression. I also noticed that the #3 piston will not come up to dead center when I hand crank it, it reaches a max travel of about an inch, but I can physically push it down with a little resistance with a plastic rod."

 

Yup, I agree with ya Whopper. Time to lokk for a replacement engine.

 

*look

 

"but when it is running, I don't hear any metal or banging."

 

Agreed- that is totally weird - but I wonder if it threw a rod - and depending where it broke it might not make any subsequent banging (other than what he initially reported). That piston moving up and down freely when it poked it with a plastic stick through the spark plug hole, to me tells the whole tale. I suspect it broke either just above the con rod bottom body leaving part of it still on the crankshaft, or it came apart at the bottom joint, leaving the piston at the top, and the broken part of the con rod is laying in the bottom of the sump.

I'd like to see him push that piston further down - as far as it will go - then try and crank it over. If it makes "noise" it's not really a problem, as that would indicate the engine is toasted.

 

It was a much older engine, but I knew a guy that snapped a rod in a small block Ford... Piston just sat there in the cylinder and he drove that thing for about a year that way.

(NOT suggesting this to the OP, just saying that it can happen)