Piston bumping valve??!

[kachemakian]

I have a 2.0L/4 with all of the parts for a rebuild that has been stored for at least 15 years in a dry building. Tonight I (for the first time) tried to turn it with a screwdriver on the flywheel teeth. To my surprise, and delight it turned easily enough to rotate it with my hands. That is, it will turn around about 340 degrees and then comes up against something that prevents it from going all the way around. Am I most likely correct in assuming that a valve is stuck open? The engine turned about 180 degrees from where it had been resting for years to where it stopped. Do these valves reach the piston, if they are stuck open? I don't believe that I have hurt it.

[Joe Ricard]

Bunch of things you can check.

1st make sure all the valve train is assembled correctly. as in the push rod seating in the lifter and rocker arm.

Is the valve train adjusted?

Stock 2.0L U.S pistons should NEVER ever come close to the valve. So something in ths valve train is out of whack.

Last thing could possibly be the cam and crank dots are not lined up at assembly. I say this because i've done it and had to take the case back apart.

[kachemakian]

Hi Joe, thanks for the quick answer, this engine was assemled in Germany, by pros, and ran fine for a number of years before being pulled from a very rusty car. My question is,"Do the valves in a 2.0 reach the pistons if the valve is stuck open?"

[Joe Ricard]

If the valve is stuck ?

Yes it would happen that the piston catches up to the intake valve on the compression stroke. and again the piston can lag enough exhaust stroke for the exhaust valve to open enough to hit.

Stuck valve is easy to see with valve covers off.

[911st]

I had a steel valve seat come out of alloy head. I redid the heads only to have it happen again shortly there after.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Known as a "dropped seat". Usually noticed because of extreme amounts of clearance on one valve.

--DD