The protruding one is "normal". The "flush" one is when the retainer doesn't retain and the spring is "riding up". I think this is better wording than the valve "dropping down", since the valve doesn't really go anywhere till the retainer breaks.

 

Exactly

Just to clarify...When checking for retainers that have walked up because of cracking, all 16 valves can EASILY be seen with a dentist mirror and a LED penlight. Even the slightest crack will send the retainer higher up on the keepers. All you need to focus on is the height that the keepers sit in the retainer. From my experience, #4 cylinder retainer are always the first, if not the only broken ones in the engine (someone explain that one ). If you're slick, you can see these with the mirror and light through the oil cap hole, without even pulling the valve cover. Bigsalqt is comin out Thursday, we'll post some pics if we find anything good (meaning bad )

 

Is this a pop quiz? OK, I'll bite.
Is it because #4 is the farthest away from the cooler coolant? By the time the coolant gets back there, it's the hottest it gets. Perhaps the #4 cylinder cooling jacket is always the hottest of all of them. Maybe that's why the temp sensor is located back there - to register the "worse case scenario"?

 

Thursday before New Years, the S2 is going to be examined. Bill is quite experienced with this and should also lead to more information on this topic. Not many people know/think they have done damage with an ever so slight over-rev. Its very possible that I may have a cracked/broken retainer but its possible that I may not! We will have to see this next thursday and will post pictures! Thanks for the posts and advice everyone has contributed to myself and beloved S2!

 

you didn't over rev tho. its not possible.

If you did it at 80mph ok....

 

Your probably 100% correct Krazik! After speaking with Bill, he too stated he had a similar occurance with his vehicle and pulled the valve cover with no damaged items. He also states that he has had customers come in wanting valve adjustments later finding broken retainers or keepers. We, S2000 owners, will never know unless it is checked! For me, this is killing two birds with one stone. A competition style valve adjustment with the peace of mind of someone knowing what to look for IF there is something damaged. Whatever the case maybe, I will post pictures if we find something wrong. I will also post more information for those who want to learn more about this, as do I, regarding the valve train as a whole.

 

Your guess is as good as mine bro (actually it's better because I haven't guessed) But it has been the case, 100% of the time.....mystery to me....

 

Does anyone know what speed the S2000 max is in 2nd gear? The weather has been snowy/salty or I'd give it a rip....

 

uh

 

I saw that...I'm talking max 2nd gear speed, or speed at which you actually hit the limiter...