Have an 02 at the shop now, he was in because he knows he made the "Money Shift" as we call it in the Metro. He's got 70psi compression, bent valves and all. So it was likely I was going to find some broken retainers. Figured I'd throw up this pic, it is a much clearer example of what to look for when doing routine service.

-The retainer on the LEFT is broken, allowing it to walk up the keepers and hide the valve stem.

-Notice the protrusion of the valve on the RIGHT, which sticks up a healthy distance.

 

for those that don't understand what he is referring to:

 

PShop madman Thanks

 

Thanks for the pic, very edjumicational

 

thank you!

 

I would benefit from a description of what action actually occurs for each component.

 

- my friend (mechanic at a shop also) asked me if a lot of s2000 people have had problems with valve guides...
- he already had 2 s2000s (its a performance shop, so 2 s2000s is considered a lot ) with fuucked valve guides...

 

.... you do realize guides and retainers are different right?

 

Question: During the time that the retainer is in the condition pictured above (before the valve actually gets sucked into the cylinder), what would the performance impacts be? Would it be similar to having your valve clearances adjusted such that they are "too loose"?

 

The valve clearance doesn't actually change...The valve is held in relative position by the valve seat. What you're seeing is the RETAINER IS HIGHER, making the valve spring installed height longer. So the result would be less spring pressure. The last guy with this problem didn't notice any noise or performance difference, EXCEPT...He felt the car didn't pull on his fellow S2000's like it used to. This could be coincidence, but only noticeable when running heads up with another S2000.

-Dut...as far as valve guides go...This thread is about a missed shift, and broken retainers, BUT...when I get the head apart, I'll let you know what I find with the valve giudes.

-This particular engine has 8 bent exhaust valves, and no bent intakes...Based on the impressions in the pistons.

**edit** ok, pic is up...notice the impressions on the piston top left by the exhaust valves...