Broken Valve Spring

[vibrodolly]

Hello,
I have a broken valve spring - I have checked, the rocker moves, spring, while intact is in pieces.

Can this be changed without removing the head? If so, how, please.

Thanks
Nick

[Nutts]

The answer is yes used to do it on mini, but is more than a one person job and is much more reliable to remove head.

The problem is that you have to remove rockers to get cap and collits out.

Would also sugget that you might want to check valve seat if it has been running with broiken valve spring for a while.

Hold valve up with curved bar through plug hole
move rocker to the side
with a bar with slot out use rockershaft to lever against th tighten spring down and cemove cap and collits.
place new spring and reverse process. ( would also change oil seal )

used to do it on rally cars when no time to take off head.

Remember if you loosen rocker pillars you may as well take head off.

Peter

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

DO NOT run the engine. Not a 2 man job by any means. A lazy afternoons work, and you can decoke it and give it a full set of fresh springs too.

[vibrodolly]

Thanks.
I felt it go and thought I had blown the head gasket and it went all lumpy.
The head has only done 500 miles.
I drove about 1/4 mile and ran the engine briefly from cold to see what I might have done.
Today took the rocker cover off, and there is was.

Ta

Nick

[bmcecosse]

As above - it can be done - an alternative is to stuff thin rope into the cylinder via the spark plug hole -then turn the engine to trap the rope up into the combustion chamber. You need to work out from the rocker movements to make sure that rocker (or the one adjacent) is not trying to lift at the time... Then lift out the push rod and move the rocker to the side, and get it done. Thing is - if a spring has broken, you have to ask 'why' - and you also have to consider that if one breaks - then what condition are the others in?? Is the engine standard? Where did you get the 'new' head? If the head can't be returned to source for a refund - then I would pop the head, and fit a whole NEW set of springs...... I don't understand 'spring while intact is in pieces'.......... I guess you just mean it hasn't shattered - just a coil broken..

[vibrodolly]

Correct, a coil broken, possibly 2.
The head is from a well known internet supplier, but I would rather not say who here.
I would have trusted it.
I was running the engine hard 5 mins before it went.
Thanks
Nick

[bmcecosse]

Well - I would be wanting a full refund - and NOT a replacement head from the source........

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Yes indeed, it should have a warranty. See if you can send it back before doing any work on it as they may say this invalidates it.

[vibrodolly]

Thanks for that. I have removed the head today, but that's it.
There was no evidence of bits of coil in the bores.

Nick

[bmcecosse]

They couldn't get in the bores.... small pieces could I suppose find a way down into the sump - but highly unlikely.

[vibrodolly]

Upon closer inspection FIVE of the springs show signs of not being in good condition, almost like lumps out of the metal.

Does it matter if some springs run clockwise and some anticlockwise?

There is certainly a mixture.
Nick

[MarkyB]

lumps out of the metal

Pictures would be interesting

[Nutts]

broken bits will most likley be in cam followers, so I would suggest taking covers off and looking.
Remember to put back in same place you took them out of.

But yes as everyone says would contact supplier, refund or replace and ask for gaskets foc, you have paid once !

Name and shame to allow others to avoid.

What cam are you running ?

Peter

[bmcecosse]

Don't hesitate to DEMAND a complete refund - with all costs....and source another head elsewhere.... And yes please - I would like to know where you got that head..........