Valve spring cracked - best way to fix?

[mattn]

So the other day I got my car home and then when I tried to start it again, it began to make a clicking noise from under the valve cover and wouldn't stay running. (Note that this problem didnt arise while the car was running, only when I tried to start it, so I must have got realll lucky) MY question is:

Can I just replace the broken spring or do I have to remove the whole head and go crazy with it? I don't feel like replacing the whole head, too much work and money..... is it possible to just replace the broken spring? I don't think the valve is broke at all considering this didn't happen when the car was running... any suggestions?

UPDATE 9/2: Found out why this happened to my engine. Apparently this peice of sh*t that I was living with put honey or sugar (not sure which one) in my oil. A friend of mine told me yesterday only because I was going to replace just one spring. He said he didn't wanna tell me because he knew I would go off the deep end and kill the son of a b*tch. And months ago I probably would have. So I guess I got lucky that only that broke, and hopefully this didn't do a ton of damage to my engine.... All this from a 28 year old BOY? How mature huh????

 

[1stGenRocks]

are you just ASSumming that its a broken valve spring or have you pulled the valve cover? if the spring broke the valve is probably also bent which means pulling the head to replace it

 

[TSIfreek]

I agree im sure the valve fell in and bent some. I would pull the head and check it out.

 

[mattn]

No, I'm not assuming. I did indeed pull the valve cover to inspect it. Do you really think the valve would have bent if the spring only broke when I was attempting to start the car?

 

[project_tsi]

No, I'm not assuming. I did indeed pull the valve cover to inspect it. Do you really think the valve would have bent if the spring only broke when I was attempting to start the car?

Try putting a new spring on and find out. If the new spring won't go on, or if the car won't start, or runs poorly I'd say the valve is bent. I'd then continue with a compression test.

 

[94awdcoupe]

this happen to me recently. but the car was idling then I here a noise followed by the car idling on three. crower spring broke in half. replaced them on the car and all is well. the valve didn't bend.

 

[Defiant]

Make sure you didn't jump timing.

 

[mattn]

Is it possible to change the valve spring without having to re-do the timing?? Can I just throw a new spring on there and give it a shot?

Also... how do I go about checking the timing?

Thanks!!!

 

[TSIfreek]

Is it possible to change the valve spring without having to re-do the timing?? Can I just throw a new spring on there and give it a shot?

Also... how do I go about checking the timing?

Thanks!!!

No you will have to remove the camshaft so the timing will have to be reset. Its not an easy job unless you have all the tools and expereance to do it. Its not an easy job.

 

[mattn]

Well since I have to re-do the timing anways, I'm going to get someone to put in a new valve spring and take my chances. I really doubt that the valve got bent considering it happened when the car was being started... Soooo I'm thinking that even if the piston hit it, that it would have gave way without doing any damage considering there was no pressure on it...

What do ya'll think?

 

[mattn]

Also.. does anyways know where I can buy a single valve spring? I'm assuming mitsubishi would sell them by the peice and hopefully not by the set??

I've seen valves sold separately on ebay for my car but no spring... if anyone knows a place where I can get one that would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!

 

[TSIfreek]

Doesnt matter dude when that piston hits a valve its going to bend if it does its like a semi hitting an escort. It olny takes one revolution of the motor to bend the valve if the valve timing is not right. I guess you can try it and see what happens.
What you can do is put a magnet on top of the valve when everything is appart and see if it will move up and down freely( make sure it doesnt drop in there and on TDC on that cylinder (piston all the way up). If you can and feel the valve seat against the head you are probably fine then.
Another thing you can do is put compressed air in the cylinder when both valves are closed you will not hear air escaping.

 

[DROOPY209]

You can also pull the exhaust manifold and see 2 exhaust side valves (if one of those is the one that broke)


Honestly, in this special scenario, I'd replace the spring first and worse case scenario it doesn't work.

Best case scenario it was only a couple bucks and a few hours of your time.

Can valve seals also be replaced with the head still on the car?

 

[TSIfreek]

Yes seals can be replaced with the head still on but its a PITA (Would pull the head for this one just to much BS)

 

[project_tsi]

(Would pull the head for this one just to much BS)

Not really. There's several ways to change valve seals w/ the head on the car. You could pressurize the cylinders and change them out, or feed fishing line into the cylinder, etc.

 

[Defiant]

Well since I have to re-do the timing anways, I'm going to get someone to put in a new valve spring and take my chances. I really doubt that the valve got bent considering it happened when the car was being started...

Check your timing.

 

[DJpHGotBanned]

I agree.. Check your timing. Timing is an easy job after you do it a few times. One thing you can do when you pull the cams to make your life easier is to clamp the timing belt to the cam gears and you can actually move things around a bit and pull the cam while leaving the gears chilling on the timing belt. This way all you need to line up is the pin on the cam when you put them back in. You'll have to likely take tension off the belt though.. and in that case you might as well just retime it .

 

[mattn]

UPDATE 9/2: Found out why this happened to my engine. Apparently this peice of sh*t that I was living with put honey or sugar (not sure which one) in my oil. A friend of mine told me yesterday only because I was going to replace just one spring. He said he didn't wanna tell me because he knew I would go off the deep end and kill the son of a b*tch. And months ago I probably would have. So I guess I got lucky that only that broke, and hopefully this didn't do a ton of damage to my engine.... All this from a 28 year old BOY? How mature huh????

 

[BISHILVR]

Try putting a new spring on and find out. If the new spring won't go on, or if the car won't start, or runs poorly I'd say the valve is bent. I'd then continue with a compression test.

And then I would continue that with a swift a$$ beating of a lifetime.

 

[Defiant]

Thank him for wasting the time of all of us.

Sue. Small claims court. File civil charges as well. Your motor is toast.