2G Rope is stuck!!!!

[GSXRunner]

Hello,

I'm replacing my valve stem seals. I hear about the "rope trick" many are using to support the valves when removing the springs. Seemed to be a good idea, so I tried it. Worked well for the exhaust valves, but would not work for intake. I felt I didn't have enough fed into the cylinder for the intakes and had a lot of trouble feeding more rope in. I was twisting the rope as I fed it in (it was the only way to get it in) and even after I got as much in as I possibly can, I still couldn't get the intake valve supported. I decided to just take the rope out and use compressed air like it used to be done; but to my horror, the rope is stuck and I cannot get it out. I tried compressing the valve to make use it wasn't caught on a valve, but it did not free it; seems to be in a knot, probably from twisting it. Any ideas short of removing the head?

 

[idkiliketurbos]

Can you get any sort of long, slim object with a hook on the end to catch the rope and pull it up out the spark plug hole?

 

[GSXRunner]

I'm thinking my only next option is to remove the exhaust manifold; I should be able to pull the rope out from the port, unless someone has a better idea.

Can you get any sort of long, slim object with a hook on the end to catch the rope and pull it up out the spark plug hole?

What would a hook do? It's in a knot; I could see it.

 

[idkiliketurbos]

What would a hook do? It's in a knot; I could see it.

My mistake, I was under the impression that you couldn't grab the rope at all.

 

[GSXRunner]

My mistake, I was under the impression that you couldn't grab the rope at all.

No, the rope is sticking out. I could only tug on it so much; it's knotted up good.

This is looking down into the spark plug hole; you can see it's all knotted up. I'd love to hear some opinions on what should be tried next; if anyone has any good ideas.....otherwise I will start ripping off the exhaust manifold and hopefully retrieve the rope through the exhaust port by compressing the valve and hopefully snaking the rope through the valve opening. I believe the valve opening is a little bigger than the spark plug opening and the knot may fit through; correct me if I'm wrong.

Any other ideas before I go this route? Anyone?

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[greddy_1700]

I tried this once before and on the first cylinder and first port it got stuck in a knot. I had no option but to remove the head. Sorry to be a downer, I hope you have better luck than I did.

 

[pauleyman]

I would at least move the piston to the bottom and see if you can get the rope loose

 

[GSXRunner]

I would at least move the piston to the bottom and see if you can get the rope loose

It is at the bottom. There's a demon that lives in my combustion chamber that tied the rope into a tight knot. My fingers just aren't small enough to reach through the spark plug hole and untie it.

I got the exhaust manifold off. There is no clearance for me to access the rope; however, I have an idea. I'm going to remove the spring, tie a zip tie to the end of the valve so it doesn't fall in and hopefully the lowered valve will afford me enough room to get to the rope.

 

[Mech Addict]

I assume you tried "un-twisting" the rope to see if the knot would shrink? If the twisting was responsible for the problem in the first place, then perhaps, just maybe, it will un-knot itself.
I've never changed valve stem seals, so I wasn't aware of the "rope Trick". Seems like, at least from two people trying it in this post alone, that this isn't a good method. How much more work is it to take the head off now. To get to the valves I expect you've already taken the t-belt, cams, rockers, and now the exhaust manifold. You still need to get the intake and thermostat housing off. Actually that does all sound like a bit of a PITA. Bummer!

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I have always been worried about this scenario. We use compressed air but sometimes it doesn't like to hold the valve closed but so far when we did VS seals, we managed to get the valves to seal (or leak but have lots of pressure behind it on that ONE valve).
Good luck, crossing fingers for you!

 

[GSXRunner]

I was able to pull about 2 - 3 feet of the rope out the exhaust port. I think maybe with a little work I may be able to get it all out somehow, but it's 90 degrees right now and I had to stop.

What I did was I wrapped some electrical tape around a pair of small hose pliers and while gripping the valve with it, I removed the spring. Then I attached a very strong small magnet to the end of the valve to keep it from falling in when I removed the pliers. Next I took a foot of very stiff wire, bent a small hook at the end and fished the rope from the port. I may cut off what came out and reach back in to hook some more; maybe it will come out in pieces? I really don't want to rip the head off if I can help it!

 

[AWD-Tony]

Have you tried spinning the crank the other way?

 

[GSXRunner]

If the twisting was responsible for the problem in the first place, then perhaps, just maybe, it will un-knot itself.

That's like trying to UN-pregnate by unscrewing......

Have you tried spinning the crank the other way?

Yes, I have a little. You're not supposed to go the other way so I only moved it a little bit.

 

[AWD-Tony]

Yes, I have a little. You're not supposed to go the other way so I only moved it a little bit.

I’ve done it so you’ll be fine as long as you have the plugs out. You’re not turning it over several revolutions. If it’s not coming out because it’s knotted up, it may not help.

 

[Mech Addict]

What's the material of the rope? How about some FIRE!!

 

[Widgmaster]

Yea..turn it into charcoal ....little bit of alcohol or gas but not if it`s nylon... That would make a mess....Maybe even use a propane bottle ????
But remember .... it was Mech Addict who thought of this....

 

[GSXRunner]

What's the material of the rope? How about some FIRE!!

It's nylon. Last thing I need is melted nylon stuck to my piston.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

It won't stay there long...........
Glad you are getting it "fished" out.

 

[twicks69]

Just pull the damn head.

 

[GSXRunner]

Just pull the damn head.

Why? I played with it again for around 10 minutes and I just pulled another 4 feet of that rope out the exhaust port. It's hot right now! It's a sauna in my garage! It's going to be in the high eighties all week. Last thing I want to do is sweat over a head gasket. I'm taking my time with this because it's so damn hot and humid. Little by little I will get it all out.

 

[Vegas Smith]

high eighties all week

That's winter time here, Pal.

 

[twicks69]

You are acting like it is hard to pull a cylinder head. It doesn't take that long. Either way, spend an hour or two pulling some string out of a cylinder or just pull the head and reinstall it in the same period of time. It's your time.

 

[Mech Addict]

How about compressed air into the spark plug hole now that you have it coming through the exhaust port? Maybe not worth it if you’re already winning. I agree on the melted nylon thing, cotton would be a different story. I was able to push cotton twine through my fuel supply and return lines using air (cleaned out 30 years of gunk).

 

[GSXRunner]

You are acting like it is hard to pull a cylinder head. It doesn't take that long. Either way, spend an hour or two pulling some string out of a cylinder or just pull the head and reinstall it in the same period of time. It's your time.

Removing rope doesn't require draining the coolant, ordering new gaskets (which will take days to get here), unbolting the intake, fuel rail, coolant lines, etc.

 

[NOSLO2PT0]

You are acting like it is hard to pull a cylinder head. It doesn't take that long. Either way, spend an hour or two pulling some string out of a cylinder or just pull the head and reinstall it in the same period of time. It's your time.

Of course this is also coming from the guy that can disassemble an entire transmission in less than 15 minutes.