Is it dead, Jim??

2008 Aveo LE, 147k miles. Commute to work is highway speeds 55-65, with occasional passing bursts up to 75-80. During one such burst, I could feel an 'uh-oh' in the engine. Hard to start, rough idle, poor acceleration - but it would get me to work and back.

At the shop: #2 spark plug covered in oil; #2 cylinder had 20 pounds compression; 1, 3, 4 had 150 compression.

The shop suggested it's not cost effective to repair & I might want to look at a used engine. They want $3300 for a motor swap.

Not knowing what is going on inside (like small pieces of piston ring floating around), is it bad to keep running it as is until it rolls over with tires up? Even on the highway to work? I do notice brakes and transmission aren't the same - I assume it's poor vacuum due to lower rpm??

What are your opinions?
Ed

Swapping in a used engine is not a good call, especially on a car that doesn't barely has any market value left.

Its also hard to tell whats wrong with your current engine until it it properly diagnosed.

What about driving it as is??

If its still drive-able, go for it. But depending on what the actual problem is, you'll be fine for a while, or you'll throw a connecting rod through the block.