After replacing head gasket and putting everything back together, my engine makes a loud tapping/knocking sound that I suspect is from valvetrain. My fear is that I unintentionally bent valve(s). I was very careful when handling the head – and do not recall a time when I set it down on a valve area.
I put a new chain tensioner in. It was loud(er) for a few seconds (loose chain) – but then settled back to the tractor-noise after a few seconds.
Timing appears good with both cam sprocket arrows up and crank pulley arrow lined up.
Head was pulled with exhaust manifold on it (it had fresh studs/bolts) – and sat for about a week on table. I didn’t touch or move the cams while head was off. I didn’t remove camshafts. When head was placed on block, all pistons were half-down as to not potentially hit valves.
When I took engine apart, intake cam sprocket was fully one way – and exhaust sprocket was fully the other way. Per manual, I set them both to center of adjustment slots.
Video. Engine holds idle. No codes.
Here’s how the head sat most of the time for the week. Chunks of wood running down sides so head wasn’t resting on valves.
For a little while it was supported at ends on crates. I sat it on its end while performing mild cleaning.
I also set it very gently down in an up-side-down position while addressing pitted area at profile gasket.
OCD was in full effect. Almost constantly shop vac-ing and using compressed air.
Here’s how new-from-box plugs looked after less than 4 minutes of run time (#4-#1, left to right)
Let me know if you can confirm bent valves, or bad lifters, or whatever.. I pulled the valve cover and turned things over several times with a socket wrench on crank bolt. Couldn’t/didn’t hear or see anything obvious while doing this.
I feel really defeated. I feel like a moron. Over the last month, I’ve busted ass replacing radiator, alternator, timing chain guides, chain tensioner, case gaskets, both pan gaskets, oil pressure valve, intake gaskets, fuel injectors, spark plugs, O2 sensor, front crank seal, new cat, Supersprint system, all new exhaust hangers, front and rear wheel bearings, front/rear brake rotors, rear axle boot kits, e36 rack, Mark D chip, Optima battery, sway bars, reinforced front subframe, headlight pigtails, tweeter pods, hood strut, shaving bay, finish detail on COP conversion, throttle and c/c cables, fuel, fuel pump, level sender, fuel filter, belts, other shit I’m forgetting – and now this happens.. I just – I just don’t have the words..
I put a new chain tensioner in. It was loud(er) for a few seconds (loose chain) – but then settled back to the tractor-noise after a few seconds.
Timing appears good with both cam sprocket arrows up and crank pulley arrow lined up.
Head was pulled with exhaust manifold on it (it had fresh studs/bolts) – and sat for about a week on table. I didn’t touch or move the cams while head was off. I didn’t remove camshafts. When head was placed on block, all pistons were half-down as to not potentially hit valves.
When I took engine apart, intake cam sprocket was fully one way – and exhaust sprocket was fully the other way. Per manual, I set them both to center of adjustment slots.
Video. Engine holds idle. No codes.
Here’s how the head sat most of the time for the week. Chunks of wood running down sides so head wasn’t resting on valves.
For a little while it was supported at ends on crates. I sat it on its end while performing mild cleaning.
I also set it very gently down in an up-side-down position while addressing pitted area at profile gasket.
OCD was in full effect. Almost constantly shop vac-ing and using compressed air.
Here’s how new-from-box plugs looked after less than 4 minutes of run time (#4-#1, left to right)
Let me know if you can confirm bent valves, or bad lifters, or whatever.. I pulled the valve cover and turned things over several times with a socket wrench on crank bolt. Couldn’t/didn’t hear or see anything obvious while doing this.
I feel really defeated. I feel like a moron. Over the last month, I’ve busted ass replacing radiator, alternator, timing chain guides, chain tensioner, case gaskets, both pan gaskets, oil pressure valve, intake gaskets, fuel injectors, spark plugs, O2 sensor, front crank seal, new cat, Supersprint system, all new exhaust hangers, front and rear wheel bearings, front/rear brake rotors, rear axle boot kits, e36 rack, Mark D chip, Optima battery, sway bars, reinforced front subframe, headlight pigtails, tweeter pods, hood strut, shaving bay, finish detail on COP conversion, throttle and c/c cables, fuel, fuel pump, level sender, fuel filter, belts, other shit I’m forgetting – and now this happens.. I just – I just don’t have the words..
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