How can I tell if my car has a bent valve?
Mechanics check for bent valves by performing a leak-down test of each cylinder or by checking the valve gaps. A very large valve gap usually points to a bent valve. Another way is to inspect the damage inside the cylinders visually. Many auto repair shops have a borescope tool.
Can a broken timing belt cause bent valves?
Interference vs. non-interference engines. The level of damage caused by a broken timing belt can depend on the type of engine you have in your car. A non-interference engine provides clearance between the valves and pistons, so if the timing belt breaks, you might end up with bent valves, and you might have to have your cylinder heads rebuilt,…
What to do if your engine is bent?
Bent valves repair options: Repair options depend on the damage. If the pistons and cylinders are damaged, the engine must be rebuilt or replaced.
What causes bent valves in a non-interference engine?
That said, we have seen rare cases where a broken timing belt resulted in bent valves in a non-interference engine. This can happen if there is a thick layer of carbon deposits covering the bottom of the valves and the top of the pistons.
What causes a bent valve in an engine?
Bent valves is a pretty serious problem, though in most cases it can be repaired. The cause is usually a broken timing belt (there is a reason for the timing belt replacement interval!) which allows the piston to hit the valves when the camshaft is no longer synchronized with the crankshaft.
Interference vs. non-interference engines. The level of damage caused by a broken timing belt can depend on the type of engine you have in your car. A non-interference engine provides clearance between the valves and pistons, so if the timing belt breaks, you might end up with bent valves, and you might have to have your cylinder heads rebuilt,…
Why do I need a valve job on my car?
It all works fine as long as your timing works fine — when the valves are open, the piston is down, and when the piston comes up, the valves are closed and out of the way. If your timing belt breaks or jumps a notch on an interference engine, the piston smashes the valves, and you need a valve job at least.
Why does my Pistons squeak when my timing belt snaps?
Your timing belt tells the pistons when to rise and fall, and the valves when to open and close. Timing belts don’t often give you a lot of warning when they’re about to give way – they might squeak or chirp, or they might just suddenly break. More often, though, damage is due to wear in the timing belt.