I was adjusting the valves on my 2005 AP2 with 61K miles today and I noticed at least a couple of cracked valve retainers on the exhaust side. Looking over at the intake side, I could see at least one cracked retainer. The only mechanical overrev was fairly recent, and I caught it very quickly and engaged the clutch. I didn't think it went past 6K. I still have the clutch delay valve and it didn't seem like anything was amiss. The car runs great, especially after the valve adjustment and new spark plugs. I assume that I need to have the retainers replaced to avoid problems down the line. Any advice? I doubt that the valves are bent. Idle is good and the car runs great.

 

well 6k isn't an overrev, and definitely shouldn't break anything. I therefore think that at some point, the engine went way past that.

Yes, replace them ASAP.

 

invest in a simple vacuum gauge. It will serve you right! You can read all about it on google search. GL

 

Where are you from? is your engine a 2.2L or 2.0L?

 

Im from Louisiana. I have an AP2 2.2L engine.

 

Then you probably have the only documented case of cracked exhaust AP2 retainers. Not sure if that's an accomplishment or not

 

Broken ap2 retainer? on the exhaust side? Near impossible.

Could you please post a picture...I imagine you have ap1 retainers or some type of engine work done.

 

I didn't take pictures when I was doing the valves, but will when I get the cover back off. I have talked to one mechanic here that wants to pull the head and "upgrade" to titanium springs and keepers. I am more inclined to confirm that the original retainers are cracked, and then do a compression and leak down test. It the valves look good, I would prefer just to replace the retainers and keepers with stock parts.

I bought the car new just off the truck. I am the only person to work on the car except for a local import shop that does my alignments and tires.

 

Im pretty sure ap2's have been cracked. It's just that ap2's usually blow the minute they are over reved unlike the ap1's that can go for some time before...BOOM

 

How did you come to the conclusion that they were cracked?