Sorry, on my way to work here so not much time. But the way to check for a cracked retainer is not to look at the retainer itself. You can miss a crack no matter how hard you look. It's to look at the top of the retainer to see if its level with the top of the spring. I'm sure somebody here will chime in to clarify.

 

It's hard to see anything with your pictures (the area around the keepers is very dark). A hairline crack can be very hard to see - even when you are holding the retainer in your hand. I had several cracks that could only really be detected by running your fingernail across the crack.

However - if your car is a 2005, (from what I know) it should already have the AP2 retainers from the factory. The AP2 retainer has a chamfered top - which I think I can see in your pics.

All the pictures that are posted of the failing retainers are AP1 - the retainer has a different profile and when the cracking occurs, it is quite noticeable at the interface between the valve stem, the keepers and the retainer.

So - the inspection techniques described for the AP1 won't likely be much use to you. It also likely means that your retainers are OK - my understanding is that the AP2 retainers don't crack like the AP1's do.

However, if the over-rev was bad enough - it might warrant a closer inspection...

Hope it helps.

 

Thanks for all the replies and advise so far. I'll try to get the part numbers of my retainers so I can see if they are AP1 or AP2.

If my F20C engine should already have the AP2 retainers, will it be on both intake and exhaust side?

 

My local dealer just confirmed to me that the OEM part number for my retainers is 14765-PRB-A01. So indeed, my F20C engine already has the AP2 retainers. Then probably I'm still on the safe side with this overrev.

They also told me that this part nr is for both intake and exhaust side. So then the RPM by which the valves really start to float is also lower, right?

Anyway, my S2K is in hibernation mode now. Can't wait for spring to arrive!

 

Your pics are hard to see.

It is easy to tell which retainer you have. Which one does yours look like?

 

I would say, the one on the left. The chamfer around the center hole through which the valve stem passes seems similar.

 

Djeenie Posted on Dec 6 2010, 10:57 AM
EUDM car/engine?
Most likely "AP2" retainers, IOW the upgraded ones.


This is a MY'00 AP1 retainer, the old style.


This is a MY'04/05 "AP2" or upgraded retainer.
Both in F20C2 engines, btw.

 

I'm sorry I don't have a better picture than this, but again, judging by the chamfer around the cotters I would say AP2 retainers on mine.

 

Oh, and yes, mine is a EUDM S2000 from 2005.

 

Hey Billman, out of curiosity, have you even seen a cracked AP2 retainer yet (that didn't instantly blow up)? I remember a long time back you were of the opinion the AP2 retainers would either give up or they wouldn't, but they wouldn't have the "ticking time bomb" situation that the AP1 retainers had with slight cracks.