Valve Spring Issue
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 850
Likes: 0
From: Green Lane Pennsylvania
Valve Spring Issue
I pulled out from a stop sign driving home yesterday. Not in a hurry, Not on the gas or anything...when I shifted from 1st to 2nd at about 2500 rpm my engine went bang. There was a very loud tapping, engine misfiring, bad power, etc. I was only about four miles from home and limped there.
The oil pressure, oil temperature and water temperature remained normal but there was a very loud tapping.
I took off the valve cover this morning on number seven piston a cap off the top valve spring is missing. It looks like the cap is pushed down into the spring. Everything is clean under the valve cover and the oil is clean on the dip stick. I removed the spark plug and there is no damage to it. I am thinking my piston is OK?
It appears that it is just the spring. Is this something that is easy to replace yourself?
The oil pressure, oil temperature and water temperature remained normal but there was a very loud tapping.
I took off the valve cover this morning on number seven piston a cap off the top valve spring is missing. It looks like the cap is pushed down into the spring. Everything is clean under the valve cover and the oil is clean on the dip stick. I removed the spark plug and there is no damage to it. I am thinking my piston is OK?
It appears that it is just the spring. Is this something that is easy to replace yourself?
Last edited by Blue Lightening; Jun 4, 2011 at 11:30 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
I pulled out from a stop sign driving home yesterday. Not in a hurry, Not on the gas or anything...when I shifted from 1st to 2nd at about 2500 rpm my engine went bang. There was a very loud tapping, engine misfiring, bad power, etc. I was only about four miles from home and limped there.
The oil pressure, oil temperature and water temperature remained normal but there was a very loud tapping.
I took off the valve cover this morning on number seven piston a cap off the top valve spring is missing. It looks like the cap is pushed down into the spring. Everything is clean under the valve cover and the oil is clean on the dip stick. I removed the spark plug and there is no damage to it. I am thinking my piston is OK?
It appears that it is just the spring. Is this something that is easy to replace yourself?
The oil pressure, oil temperature and water temperature remained normal but there was a very loud tapping.
I took off the valve cover this morning on number seven piston a cap off the top valve spring is missing. It looks like the cap is pushed down into the spring. Everything is clean under the valve cover and the oil is clean on the dip stick. I removed the spark plug and there is no damage to it. I am thinking my piston is OK?
It appears that it is just the spring. Is this something that is easy to replace yourself?
Last edited by robert miller; Jun 4, 2011 at 12:15 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
It would appear that you have a broken spring or retainer, remove the rocker and carefully lift the valve as high as you can.
Retain it and remove the spring and see if the valve will move freely up and down, if it does again retain it and pressurize the cylinder with air.
At this point you will find out if you have to remove the head, more then likely you have a bent valve.
Good luck.
Retain it and remove the spring and see if the valve will move freely up and down, if it does again retain it and pressurize the cylinder with air.
At this point you will find out if you have to remove the head, more then likely you have a bent valve.
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
It would appear that you have a broken spring or retainer, remove the rocker and carefully lift the valve as high as you can.
Retain it and remove the spring and see if the valve will move freely up and down, if it does again retain it and pressurize the cylinder with air.
At this point you will find out if you have to remove the head, more then likely you have a bent valve.
Good luck.
Retain it and remove the spring and see if the valve will move freely up and down, if it does again retain it and pressurize the cylinder with air.
At this point you will find out if you have to remove the head, more then likely you have a bent valve.
Good luck.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 78
From: Forney Texas
A good compression tester or leakdown tester will include what you need. If you haven't already dropped a valve and destroyed your motor, it tells me you have a bent valve. It's one of the only times a bent valve will be good news because it might have saved you a lot of money (probably so).
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 850
Likes: 0
From: Green Lane Pennsylvania
Got the valve spring off. It is broken at the very top of the spring. I can't find any evidence of the retainer clip...I shot air in thru the spark plug hole and can hear the air going out thru the headers...I am thinking I have to have a bent valve?
I know as a pilot if you get into trouble you climb, communicate, confess and comply. At this point I think I am in the same shape as a back yard repairman and should have my car towed to ECS or Pheonix Performance and have it fixed properly. I am thinking that all of the springs should be replaced? Any other advice?
I know as a pilot if you get into trouble you climb, communicate, confess and comply. At this point I think I am in the same shape as a back yard repairman and should have my car towed to ECS or Pheonix Performance and have it fixed properly. I am thinking that all of the springs should be replaced? Any other advice?
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