Help with my car not running. (long post)

[95TurboDSM]

Hey everyone I have a 1995 Talon Turbo FWD and I am having a problem. I was in a parking lot practicing my launches and on the last one I did, I had a lot of wheel hop. I pressed the clutch and let off the gas and began to turn around. I then heard a ticking from under my hood. It only did it at about 2000 RPM's. I could not tell where it was coming from so I took it home and began to look into it. It made the noise at anything over 2000 RPM's and when I was driving and let off the gas. I drove it to work that night and the tick got worse and turned into a knock. It sounded like it was definently coming from the top of the motor and then it began to lose power. It got worse and worse until it finally just would not run anymore. I then took the valve cover off and there was a rocker sitting at the bottom of the head. It was off of the intake side on the valve closest to the cam gears. I took the bolts off of the cam and placed the rocker back into it's spot. I tightened the cam back up and put the valve cover on. I went and bought new plugs for it and when I tried to start it, it started and ran roughly for aprox. 10 seconds and died. Now when I try to start it, it will sound like it is trying to start, but wont actually start. I am not a mechanic by any means, but I want to fix my car. Could someone please tell me what this could possibly be? I have heard that maybe the timing jumped when it happened, but I dont know. Please help! Thanks in advance.

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

Sounds nasty...

Join the head rebuild club.

Options:
1. Take it to a mechanic for head damage confirmation.
2. Check your compression / timing for head damage confirmation.
3. Pull the head and make necklace out of bend valve(s) after head damage confirmation.

 

[95TurboDSM]

I also forgot to add....that when I put the rocker back in, I turned the motor with the crank by hand and all the valves appeared to be working normally. They went up and down just like all the others. Don't know if that matters, but I thought I would add that.

 

[gsxtacy]

cracked, about to be completely broken piston, with rod sticking out the side of the block.

By the sound of your description, you completely neglected rule #1 with DSM's.

"If its tapping/knocking, squeling, popping, or generally making any weird noises, BE VERY WORRIED, and get it fixed by a competent DSM specialist asap".

Local Ford house mechanics need not apply.

Practicing launches with a FWD? Practice controlling wheel spin is more accurate.

Hope you get it fixed, I know your pain, my DSM is down right now too.

Best of luck to ya.

 

[95TurboDSM]

So the rocker in the bottom of the head wasnt the easy fix? If I take the head off will I be able to clearly see what is wrong with it or will I have to dig deeper?

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

Most likely reason for the rocker being off is because the valve and piston made out. If you pull the head you will be able to see the damage for sure.

 

[95TurboDSM]

Well...thanks a lot guys. I will be taking the head off within the next couple days. Thanks for all the help!

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

No problem. I'm rebuilding my engine so hit me up if you have any more q's and I'll try and help you while its still fresh on my mind.

-Head rebuild club

 

[GTM]

Well...thanks a lot guys. I will be taking the head off within the next couple days. Thanks for all the help!

You should have put a straight edge across the valves and checked if they were the same height. It sounds like you jumped time, valve and piston collided and the stem got bent allowing the cam follower to drop out. When you ran it again the same piston /valve hit again and jumped time some more which bent more valves and now you don't have enough compression to start.

You should have done a compression check and if not too late take it now. Check the valve timing just so you know where it is now. You may need all the intake valves and depending on how bad some or all of the intake guides. BTW you can pop the cam followers off with an open end wrench by sticking under the lifter at the hydraulic adjuster and prying up and to the side. If you ever get into trouble with timing you can always do this and not take the chance of bending valves. When going back together please use a drill motor and prime the oil pump before putting the timing belt back on, this fills the head oil gallery, cams and adjusters.

Keep us posted with your progress.

Cheers,
GTM