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Bent valves during Timing Belt change

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Mauispyder

Proven Member
483
82
Jan 20, 2015
Kula, Hawaii
I couldn't find this exact situation so here's my experience (so far). I'm doing my timing belt for the first time (at 120,000). 99 Eclipse GST. Using the VFAQ and a couple of other resources. I got to the balance belt replacement and VFAQ seemed to suggest you could sneak the new balance belt around the crank sensor plate bypassing the need to remove the crank sprocket. There is no way to do this unless you rotate the crank/ sensor plate back and forth to get the new balance belt slipped behind the sensor plate. I went brain dead and did this, rotating the crankshaft about 180 degrees and back independent of the cam shafts (with a 1/2 ratchet. So now I remember I may have just bent my valves since I just sent 2 and 3 Pistons from the bottom to the top and back. I am sad, and on forums for days, since too busy at work to return to car. Of note the cams were fixed at TDC before the old timing belt was removed and the crank moved. Today I took off the valve cover for a look at The rockers and such. I was pleasantly surprised to see that at TDC, NONE of the the valves is fully extended by the cam lobes. In fact none are even mostly extended. So I'm going to finish the timing belt and do a compression test. I think I dodged a bullet, and I wanted to pass this info on to anyone else that might have screwed up in a similar way.
 
I think you are fine, it is hard to bend the valves just by hand, unless you put lots off resistance on the ratchet, you should be fine, continue on with ur process and compression test it after. I thing itll be fine.
 
7 or 8 years ago the old lady's dinged up, heavily oxidized aquamarineROFL/teal 1991 2.0 RS turbo fwd automatic Plymouth Laser, (which she purchased in 2003, for $700, at an auction, with a salvaged title) just died out at a red light. Of course it was turned over numerous times during several attempts to restart, the last few were me, while duly noting that cams were not turning. I don't recall why, but I then chose to replace timing belt. I knew it was futile but did it anyways. Two weeks later, when that ordeal was over, instead of trying to start the car like any normal human would do, I choose instead to first do a compression check, and - wah wah waaaaah :( number four had zero compression, just as expected.

So I put all my tools away, towed it out of my (sheet-metal) shop back to my driveway at home. I then proceeded to lurk here, and at various other sites seeking knowledge. :heystupid:

During this period there were numerous discussions about: why haven't I fixed her car?, what was the problem?, when will it be done? etc etc :argue:

Three or four months later I was as ready as I ever would be. So we towed it back to the tin shop (business was slow so it could be in the way for a few weeks). The hour was at hand. It was go time. I was not enthused. Since the first compression check, I had not kept track of the readings of the other cylinders, nor had I poured any oil in them to raise readings, so thought "WTF, do another compression check and write the numbers down. :aha:
cylinder 1 = 104
cylinder 2 = 106
cylinder 3 = 103
cylinder 4 = 104??!! WTF?

I could not believe it. Impossible!:hmm:

I must have screwed up the first time, and of course, since I fully expected to find one or more cylinders @ zero lbs, it never occurred to double check.

(BTW - I realize these numbers are pathetic, below standard, weak, etc; and frankly, IDGAF as she is right now zipping around town with 210,000 on the odometer.):laser:

So - YES - it is possible. And after reading numerous posts in which countless new valve$, pistion$, head$ and D$M dreams are instantaneously destroyed, due to less-experienced mechanics, it really makes sense (to me anyways) to do a compression check prior to pulling the head, if for no other reason than to gain experience without destroying new parts.
 
FYI, finished the timing belt job, runs great. New headlights while I was at it, what a bi*** that is. Btw I got oem lights from TYC, they supplied the headlight bulbs but not the turn signal bulbs!! Check all the bulbs before you install! Also tighten all your hose clamps well (intercooler to turbo). Otherwise you'll look pretty stupid on the side of the road right after you pass an annoying slow driver. Also frightening to have your car shake and die right after a timing belt change! (Just shoved the hose back on and ran normally TG)
 
yeah i think your ok unless like some others have said if you were hanging on the ratchet to turn the crank, otherwise i think your ok LOL
 
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