Something broke...
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Something broke...
Stock 2003 Z06 35,000 miles... Was on my way home today when when traffic stopped several hundred yards in front of me. As I slowed, I down-shifted to 3rd, then to 2nd, popping the throttle to match revs. When I popped into 2nd, something let loose. Made an awful clatter. Luckily I was able to pull right into my neighborhood when I finally shut down. I was hopping it blew the top of a plug out but I'm afriad it's worse than that. It makes a very loud clatter up in the head area. To just turn the engine over sounds fine but once it tries to fire it clatters louldly. From what I've seen on the forum, maybe a broken rocker??? Any advice greatly appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 766
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From: Mooresville NC
Stock 2003 Z06 35,000 miles... Was on my way home today when when traffic stopped several hundred yards in front of me. As I slowed, I down-shifted to 3rd, then to 2nd, popping the throttle to match revs. When I popped into 2nd, something let loose. Made an awful clatter. Luckily I was able to pull right into my neighborhood when I finally shut down. I was hopping it blew the top of a plug out but I'm afriad it's worse than that. It makes a very loud clatter up in the head area. To just turn the engine over sounds fine but once it tries to fire it clatters louldly. From what I've seen on the forum, maybe a broken rocker??? Any advice greatly appreciated.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,246
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From: Dyer, IN
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6
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Yep, broken intake valve spring. I wonder what the chances of there being more damage down in the cylinder? Is there the possibility of the piston crashing up into that valve causing major damage to piston and cylinder wall? Outide of removing the head is there a way to tell if there is a broken valve down in that cylinder? Great group of knowledge here, thanks to all!
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
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From: Forney Texas
Probably nicked the piston, but doubtful you hurt it, but it's more possible to bend a valve. You'll know when you're changing the valve springs if you do it the way most do with compressed air in the cylinder. If you hurt the valve, you'll hear a bunch of air running into the intake or exhaust, depending on which spring you broke.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Excellent pictures! The only way you'll know about the piston is to pull the head. Might as well to be sure. No sense in doing the job half-way on a hope. I think of the old saying, better safe than sorry.
NCM Bash 2008-2018
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From: Granby, MA Talladega Super Speedway Vettes 4 Vets Ambassador
Middle TN Events Coordinator
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
Are those stock springs? A vettes with only 35,000 on it and you snapped one like that? Is this typical or heard of? Man that would worry the hell out of me if its that easy to snap something. Especially cause you weren't romping on it. How are you driving habits with it? Do you have any power adders? Are you the original owner?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
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From: Des Moines Iowa
If you really wanted to, suppose you could get / borrow one of those small cameras with a light on a flexible tube that you could insert into the spark plug hole and look around to see if there was any visable damage to piston. But I still agree that if the cylinder holds compression, you should be good to go.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
If you really wanted to, suppose you could get / borrow one of those small cameras with a light on a flexible tube that you could insert into the spark plug hole and look around to see if there was any visable damage to piston. But I still agree that if the cylinder holds compression, you should be good to go.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Florida
Yep, broken intake valve spring. I wonder what the chances of there being more damage down in the cylinder? Is there the possibility of the piston crashing up into that valve causing major damage to piston and cylinder wall? Outide of removing the head is there a way to tell if there is a broken valve down in that cylinder? Great group of knowledge here, thanks to all!
NCM Bash 2008-2018
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA Talladega Super Speedway Vettes 4 Vets Ambassador
Middle TN Events Coordinator
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
