Pushrod, lifter, valve, etc. PROBLEM., Daily Driver emergency! Options

[ripper911]

I went to perform a valve adjustment and the exhaust valve on #4 wouldn't tighten. I got frustrated and called in a travelling 914 mechanic.

The screw was binding in the rocker, but he got it tightened enough to try to adjust. It wasn't moving while turning the engine. I was left with instructions to pull the rockers and check the pushrod as it might be bent. I pulled the pushed out, and it looks pretty straight to me, so he said to pull the lifter out with a magnet and inspect it. This is where I'm stuck.

I was having trouble with my extendable magnet extending and collapsing while trying to pull the lifter out. I bought some new magnets, but I'm still not having any luck. The mechanic said that it takes some finessing to get out. Is there a trick to it?

What makes it worse is that I have been using one of my boss's cars in the meantime, but they're selling the business (closing on sale Wednesday) so I need to give the car back.

I'll get the mechanic back over here soon, but going on my knowledge of the car, if the pushrod isn't bent, and if the lifter turns out to be OK, then it won't be something I can fix over the weekend.

Help... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[Dave_Darling]

No trick to it; just get the magnet down to the lifter.

What was keeping the valve from tightening? Did you have the lug screwed all the way into the rocker arm? Did you run out of threads? Was the lug turning without moving inward? Was the jam nut turning on the lug?

Could be the valve tip wearing or the adjusting lug wearing--try removing it and inspecting the end of each for wear. Could be something like the pushrod hanging up on the edge of the lifter cup, or could be a seat dropping. Especially if it's an intake valve.

--DD

[ripper911]

The adjustment screw got buggered up. I'll have a new one, and lock nut, to put it back together with.

It's the forward most valve on the passenger side, exhaust on #4 (I'm pretty sure...).

I can put a magnet into the tube until I hit something, but the lifter isn't coming out. The magnet sticks to something pretty hard, but comes free when I go to pull it out.

[r_towle]

They don't come out that easy....sometimes a ridge can form and the only way out is in....

Why are you taking it out?
Get a new rocker arm and screw, put it all back together and get it adjusted.

Make sure the push rod turns in the lifter and adjuster while you set the rocker arms back down....things can get wedged the wrong way.

Every use rod needs to easily turn when the valve is closed.

[ripper911]

I'm supposed to pull the lifter to inspect it for wear on the side that contacts the cam, and send the mechanic a picture of it. He's worried about the cam, but the engine was rebuilt about five or six years ago.

I'm just trying to do as suggested.


I do feel that the inside of the tube isn't exactly round when I stick my finger in it. I suppose that is the ridge you mention.

[r_towle]

Put it back together and don't worry about the camshaft.
That motor will outlast the body. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I,am,not trying to be a jerk, just think about the problem.

IF the camshaft was wearing out, you would have a lot more adjustment in that cylinder.
So pulling the lifter won't help, it's just a time suck.

If the valve seat fell out, or got cockeyed, that would again give you a lot more adjustment.

Maybe, just maybe, the rocker arm was fubar, you needed a new adjuster, and maybe that is it.

Rich

[Jake Raby]

The lifter won't slide through the bore, for removal, because its failing. The face of the lifter has become mushroomed due to wear, and has created a burr around the OD thats retaining it.

The reason why the valve adjuster wouldn't reduce the amount of clearance, is also because the lifter is failing. The cam lobe has been injured, too.

What oil have you been running?

[stugray]

Just curious:

You are not trying to pull the lifter out through the pushrod tube are you?

You have to pull the pushrod tube out of the case first.

[rjames]

Just curious:

You are not trying to pull the lifter out through the pushrod tube are you?

You have to pull the pushrod tube out of the case first.

This was my thought.

Also agree with Rich.

[ripper911]

Just curious:

You are not trying to pull the lifter out through the pushrod tube are you?

You have to pull the pushrod tube out of the case first.

This was my thought.

Also agree with Rich.

Yep... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I've never done this before, obviously. I'm doing all of this with the car barely lifted onto jackstands, with the engine in place.

[ripper911]

The lifter won't slide through the bore, for removal, because its failing. The face of the lifter has become mushroomed due to wear, and has created a burr around the OD thats retaining it.

The reason why the valve adjuster wouldn't reduce the amount of clearance, is also because the lifter is failing. The cam lobe has been injured, too.

What oil have you been running?

VR1 20w-50. It does have some leaks, and occasionally gets low, but I only drive it about 10 miles per day.

It started backfiring badly about a week before I started this ordeal, I kept cleaning my jets and adjusting the points to keep it running (the usual suspects) but it was obviously time for some real work.

So... I need to lower the engine and pull the tube to get the lifter out and replace it?

[ripper911]

IF the camshaft was wearing out, you would have a lot more adjustment in that cylinder.

If the valve seat fell out, or got cockeyed, that would again give you a lot more adjustment.


Rich

It was very loose. There was probably 1/8" or more of free play between the adjustment screw and the rod.

It's possible that it was just the rocker or screw, but the mechanic who knows 914s supposedly got it tightened up enough and adjusted.

[TheCabinetmaker]

Stu said it right. You must pull the pushrod tube to remove the lifter. But I doubt that's your problem. Sounds like a dropped valve seat is keeping the valve open. Have someone turn the engine for you while watching the valve for proper movement.

[ripper911]

Stu said it right. You must pull the pushrod tube to remove the lifter. But I doubt that's your problem. Sounds like a dropped valve seat is keeping the valve open. Have someone turn the engine for you while watching the valve for proper movement.

He hooked it up to a starter button and showed me that the rocker wasn't even moving while it was turning over, after it was tightened up.

[Jake Raby]

IF the camshaft was wearing out, you would have a lot more adjustment in that cylinder.

If the valve seat fell out, or got cockeyed, that would again give you a lot more adjustment.


Rich

It was very loose. There was probably 1/8" or more of free play between the adjustment screw and the rod.

It's possible that it was just the rocker or screw, but the mechanic who knows 914s supposedly got it tightened up enough and adjusted.

With that much clearance, you'll have an underlying condition for sure. Check the sump plate for ferromagnetic debris.

[ripper911]

So... Let's say that I NEED to have a car running by next week.
What should I do next? Fix the 911 instead? Buy the fake Jaguar that's been sitting for years and hope for the best? Stay with the new owners at my job and beg to use a funeral van?

I'll change the oil and check for ferromagnetic debris.

I had assumed that the valve would be stuck closed, not open, since the rocker isn't pushing it in. Is that wrong? I wouldn't feel as bad just slapping it back together and driving it if it's open, it surely wouldn't cause as much damage in the short term as it would if it wasn't able to release the pressure. Like I mentioned above, I have a short commute.

I get the feeling that I'm going to need to pull the head off. The chances of me getting that done and back together quickly are pretty slim.

[stugray]

So... Let's say that I NEED to have a car running by next week.
What should I do next? Fix the 911 instead? Buy the fake Jaguar that's been sitting for years and hope for the best? Stay with the new owners at my job and beg to use a funeral van?

I'll change the oil and check for ferromagnetic debris.

I had assumed that the valve would be stuck closed, not open, since the rocker isn't pushing it in. Is that wrong? I wouldn't feel as bad just slapping it back together and driving it if it's open, it surely wouldn't cause as much damage in the short term as it would if it wasn't able to release the pressure. Like I mentioned above, I have a short commute.

I get the feeling that I'm going to need to pull the head off. The chances of me getting that done and back together quickly are pretty slim.

Is it a 2.0L engine or a 1.7/1.8? (do the intake manifolds have 3 or 4 bolts holding them to the heads?)

If it is a 1.7/1.8L, you can probably find some heads ready to use fairly cheap.
I sold a pair in perfect working order for a couple hundred about a year ago.

If it is a 2.0L then you might need to bust open the piggy bank.

[ripper911]

So... Let's say that I NEED to have a car running by next week.
What should I do next? Fix the 911 instead? Buy the fake Jaguar that's been sitting for years and hope for the best? Stay with the new owners at my job and beg to use a funeral van?

I'll change the oil and check for ferromagnetic debris.

I had assumed that the valve would be stuck closed, not open, since the rocker isn't pushing it in. Is that wrong? I wouldn't feel as bad just slapping it back together and driving it if it's open, it surely wouldn't cause as much damage in the short term as it would if it wasn't able to release the pressure. Like I mentioned above, I have a short commute.

I get the feeling that I'm going to need to pull the head off. The chances of me getting that done and back together quickly are pretty slim.

Is it a 2.0L engine or a 1.7/1.8? (do the intake manifolds have 3 or 4 bolts holding them to the heads?)

If it is a 1.7/1.8L, you can probably find some heads ready to use fairly cheap.
I sold a pair in perfect working order for a couple hundred about a year ago.

If it is a 2.0L then you might need to bust open the piggy bank.

1.8 (1911 now)

[r_towle]

IF the camshaft was wearing out, you would have a lot more adjustment in that cylinder.

If the valve seat fell out, or got cockeyed, that would again give you a lot more adjustment.


Rich

It was very loose. There was probably 1/8" or more of free play between the adjustment screw and the rod.

It's possible that it was just the rocker or screw, but the mechanic who knows 914s supposedly got it tightened up enough and adjusted.

With that much clearance, you'll have an underlying condition for sure. Check the sump plate for ferromagnetic debris.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

You gotta tell the whole story up front dude.

New condition of lots of backfiring....that is a huge sign.

Something changed....
Could be a dropped seat.

Maybe scope that cylinder?
Could also pull the exhaust and while shining a light in the spark plug hole check to see if you see any light in the exhaust port....

Rich

[r_towle]

Used 1.8 head.
Pull motor, swap head....a weekend project.

Used heads are around...and people willing to help are also able to ship quickly for a teener in need.