No compression on 225 engine cylinder 1

[Blindbandit]

My very long Meglio project is kicking my ass.

I purchased a megane 225 engine from a mate that had come from a running 225...until it crashed.

He put a new sump and big end shells, oil pump, water pump, head off and re-ground the valves and new gaskets etc.
Ive done a compression test and have no compression on cylinder 1.
How do I best diagnose the issue without removing the head if its not needed.
I understand that it may be a stuck valve, bad rings etc but I could do with pin pointing the issue so I dont waste cash.

Any help much appreciated.

Dan

 

[RSRowe]

A leak down test will be a good indicator

 

[Foxspeed]

if you have limited access to tools....put it on tdc no1 and fill inlet/outlet ports with wd40/diesel and see if it leaks out/level goes down that will prove the valves...

or a "wet" compression test...ie a few squirts of oil in the bore and compression test...see if anything improves