You may have compression on any cylinder where the valves happen to be closed, but you will not have compression on all cylinders. 1991 Sable does not have a 305 engine.
Usually that is a sign of a broken timing belt or timing chain.
If the timing belt was broken, obviously the engine would not run. If you crank the engine and the distributor does not turn, that would be a good sign.
The engine would not run. The engine would lack compression.
Your valves will bend and the vehicle will be inoperable/undriveable. If the engine is a non-interferance engine, the valves won't get bent. You could remove the timing belt cover and see with your eyes if the belt is broken. A compression test will also give you a clue, the compression will be 0 in all cylinders.
Broken cam or timing chain is the most likely cause.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TURN THE ENGINE OVER IF YOU SUSPECT A BROKEN TIMING BELT !!!!!! If you have, you already have more problems than a broken timing belt. Remove the upper timing belt cover and physically look at the timing belt.
A broken timing chain is possible.
No, there will not be engine noise, but you may notice a decrease in engine performance. The 1.9 liter engine is a freewheeling engine which is not damaged by incorrect camshaft timing or even by a broken timing belt.
Check for a broken timing belt.
A couple thing come to mind. Broken timing belt, broken camshaft, broken distributor shaft. Are you seeing the trend here?? I think your engine is BROKEN.
Either your timing belt is stripped or broken. In order to have compression the camshaft and valves need to be in time with the crankshaft. If it has a distributor cap then remove it and have someone crank the engine. If the rotor does not turn then the timing belt is bad.
broken timing belt