Only my intake side was cracked (as most are, he has only seen one cracked on the exhaust side), however he replaced all 8.

 

We need a comprehensive write up on how to check and replace these retainers

 

Arent the keepers recessed, sinking lower than ones that are not broken.

You should be able to see that with the valve cover off.

 

there is a lot of info around, posted by billman, about how to check these.

i don't know that it's all contained in a single FAQ, but from what he's said you have to know what you're looking for and sometimes they're off by such a tiny amount that you'll have to have had a lot of experience looking at them to know for certain.

 

I only replace the intake side with 2.2L retainers and keepers. We don't want to add weight to the exhaust valve side, they are already the first to bend. Besides, they don't break like the intakes do.

There is no way I could possibly describe how to replace them. Even a long winded DIY, as best as I could word it out, would leave lots of questions for those who are not very mechanically inclined.

All I can say is, DO NOT follow the honda manual. This job (retainer replacement) should be done with the head on the car.

 

Myth.

More frequently than oem? Yes.

 

Well, that's "frequently", isn't it? Compared to OEM (when, if ever, short of cracked from an overrev?)