Crap what do I do now..
#1
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Crap what do I do now..
So I'm changing the very last valve spring on my car when I hear pssshhhhhh... sure enough the valve dropped. But, not to worry, I have the engine pretty close to TDC.
Not close enough to TDC it seems. The valve hasn't dropped into the piston, it's still in the head, but it's too far in to get out with a pen magnet.
I try going thru the spark plug, but it's the intake valve on the very far passenger side, and the angle won't work for getting to the intake, only the exhaust.
So I pull the intake manifold, I can see the valve, it's right there. But I can't reach it with my fingers, how do I get it back up? I tried a coat hanger.. but that was pointless.
I'm pretty much ready to yank the dam head, but I thought I'd post on here first for any better ideas.
ideas??
Not close enough to TDC it seems. The valve hasn't dropped into the piston, it's still in the head, but it's too far in to get out with a pen magnet.
I try going thru the spark plug, but it's the intake valve on the very far passenger side, and the angle won't work for getting to the intake, only the exhaust.
So I pull the intake manifold, I can see the valve, it's right there. But I can't reach it with my fingers, how do I get it back up? I tried a coat hanger.. but that was pointless.
I'm pretty much ready to yank the dam head, but I thought I'd post on here first for any better ideas.
ideas??
Last edited by IRONFIST; 10-23-2011 at 03:30 PM.
#3
So I pull the intake manifold, I can see the valve, it's right there. But I can't reach it with my fingers, how do I get it back up? I tried a coat hanger.. but that was pointless. I'm pretty much ready to yank the dam head, but I thought I'd post on here first for any better ideas. ideas??
Wrap some black electrical tape over the tips and see if you can grab the stem of the valve and push it back up into the head. Have someone ready to grab the stem when it comes out the valve guide on the spring side.
#4
I don't think I'd try that until other avenues are tried. The valve angle could be such, and depending on how far down the valve is, could just put side load into the valve and jam it up even more.
#5
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
How can I check to see if the piston is on its way up or down?
#6
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Do you have a some long tipped needle nose pliers? If not, maybe go borrow or buy one.
Wrap some black electrical tape over the tips and see if you can grab the stem of the valve and push it back up into the head. Have someone ready to grab the stem when it comes out the valve guide on the spring side.
Wrap some black electrical tape over the tips and see if you can grab the stem of the valve and push it back up into the head. Have someone ready to grab the stem when it comes out the valve guide on the spring side.
#7
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#11
TECH Regular
Get a pencil flathead screwdriver (one small enough to stick down the valve guide, and long enough to hit the tip of the valve), and stick a magnet on the side of the screwdriver shaft. This should magnetize the tip enough to pull the valve back up.
#13
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Well I got it back up, and tried to get the new springs on.. but no luck yet. I'm using the comp cams tool which works great, except for this last cylinder.
I can't see past it to see if the clips are in right, or if the spring is lined up right. I find myself using my camera to take pictures, and then look at the pictures to make sure everything is straight.
There isn't enough day light right now to finish the job, but I will try tomorrow.
Changing valve springs while the head is on the engine has to be the most frustrating thing I've done with my car. I think I'd rather have paid a shop to do it...
I can't see past it to see if the clips are in right, or if the spring is lined up right. I find myself using my camera to take pictures, and then look at the pictures to make sure everything is straight.
There isn't enough day light right now to finish the job, but I will try tomorrow.
Changing valve springs while the head is on the engine has to be the most frustrating thing I've done with my car. I think I'd rather have paid a shop to do it...
#16
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter