My car (06 AP1, euro-spec) has reported an overspeed condition and i was advised in a different thread to check my retainers. Now i've read every single piece of information i can on the subject, and as much as i'd like to have billman250 inspect my car i cannot; since i will have to ship the car overseas. Problem is, the honda mechanics here seem to be completely clueless about the S (seeing as only a handful roam the streets) and i'd like to be present in the inspection/replacement of said retainers. To do this, i'll find a mechanic with the know-how of taking stuff apart and putting it back together - but i'll decide if the retainers need replacement.

To do this, i have a few questions (bear in mind that i've read every thread on the topic three times, but i am not very mechanical oriented).
1) In a previous thread, it was explained that one symptom of a bad retainer is that it sits slightly lower on the spring. Does this affect valve position or does the valve simply not connect with the retainer? I would assume that if the retainer is sitting lower, the valve protrudes into the combustion chamber
2) What is the visual difference between exhaust and inlet valves? Are inlet valve retainers more likely to break?
3) Does replacing all retainers to AP2 retainers void the warranty? If not, should only inlet valves be replaced to AP2?
4) What exactly is wrong with the retainer in the first pic of this thread? What inner wall is showing?
5) To conduct an inspection of the retainers i will:
* Visually inspect height differences of the valves
* Visually inspect bent/warped retainers
* Visually inspect retainers from above and below (using a mirror)
* Feel the pointy part of the retainer with a pick to feel for cracks
Is this enough? Can a valve be bent but the retainer show no damage?
6) For safe measures, i will perform a compression test before and after replacement, if any. Is there anything else i should do?

Thanks!

 

1 valve does not change position at all. Retainer gets higher on keepers.
2 no visual difference from top. Intake retainers break.
3 who cares, they will never know. do it with 2.2 retainers.
4 the inner wall of the retainer. that's where the keepers should be.
5 height of valves does not change, don't check height.
-you will not see the cracks. you have to look for recessed keepers (wall showing)
-compression test will show nothing

 

pavius...this is what you should do.

1 - you should do a compression test, regardless. if you get low compression, you may have a problem (perhaps bent valve) and you will need to take your head off to repair it at a head shop. a leakdown will tell you what area is causing the low compression.

2 - if the compression and/or leakdown check out fine...you should inspect all retainers. even if you don't find anything, i would recommend that you replace all the retainers (intake with 2.2, and exhaust with 2.0) and keepers anyway for peace of mind...it shouldn't cost that much.

i had an over-rev as well, and replaced all my retainers, and the old retainers were ALL fine...but I had peace of mind. only problem is that i replaced the intake retainers with 2.0L, not knowing that the 2.2L retainers were better. but that will be taken care of another day.

 

Thanks a lot for the responses.

Billman250, i see the problem with the first picture now - thanks. jyeung528, i'll take your advice and order new retainers/keepers (8 AP2, 8 AP1). I'll start googling, but if anyone knows a place i can buy this stuff and ship it over here i would appreciate it.