Hey everybody,

I'm cracking open the VC this week to do some basic maintenance. I bought my S about 5 months ago with 94k miles and I'm about to crack 100k. I figure it would be a good time to do some preventative maintenance.

I'm doing the adjustment and dropping in new spark plugs.

Few questions:

Is there any tell-tale sign that the valve retainers have been swapped out? The PO didn't know as he only owned the car for a couple years.

Is there anything else I can take care of while its opened up?

Thanks

 

Yes, AP1 retainers will have more of a flat look across the center where the valve stem passes through, whereas the AP2 retainers will have a slight 45 degree bevel where the valve stem passes through before the cotters (keepers). Just do a thorough check of the retainers in general. AP1 retainers are perfectly fine as long as there hasn't been an over-rev. Just use a nice even light source to look for hairline cracks in the retainers in the middle by the keepers as well as sunken in valve stems and keepers.

As far as anything else, as long as everything looks good, there's nothing else to really do other than a valve adjustment. I would recommend however picking up some di-electric grease and use it on your coil ends and all other electrical connectors that you remove to promote good connections. Since it's possible you are disconnecting them for the first time ever on this car. Also, be sure to have a new VC gasket and grommet set for your VC since as I mentioned, this might be the first time it's being removed, and if so, it's not going to seal very well again.

 

Great, thanks so much for the reply!

 

IF you wish, post up good quality pictures in this thread of your retainers and I'll be able to tell you which ones you have on intake and exhaust side.

 

I'll be sure to do that, I'm tackling this all on Thursday

 

Cool, I'll keep an eye on this thread on Thursday especially then. Good Luck.

 

I would go ahead and order the AP2 retainers so they are at the very least, ready for pickup at the dealership, if you find AP1 retainers, which I'd bet you will. I'm pretty sure Billman recommends going to AP2 in general, so if you will have the head off, I'd go ahead and do it.

 

If the whole head was coming off, I would without a doubt do it but just doing the adjustment for Thursday. If I see AP1 retainers I'll order the AP2s and do that when they get in

I'm also expecting to see AP1s, I just don't want to see any of them cracked

 

sorry to thread jack but what are the advantages of ap2 retainers vs. ap1 retainers?

 

Do a quick google search "ap1 valve retainer s2ki" and you'll see.

The AP1 retainers are notoriously weak and many have had them crack and if they completely break your motor is done. Many recommend to swap out to the stronger AP2 reatiner