Valves hitting pistons
 

I have a 1991 eagle talon (2.0 turbo that the timing belt snapped and hit the pistons. I was wondering the exzact damage. I of coarse know that the head and timing belt have to be replaced however how does this affect the pistons. I can see where the valves hit them. Will this affect the engine afterwards?
Kevin

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

It depends on how bad the pistons hit. Put up some good close up pictures of each piston. It will create a weak spot in the piston, if the car is only going to be pretty stock, they are normally ok with a light hit. You will want to file down and polis the lip that was created with the hit. It might be a good time to freshen the engine and put in some 2g pistons too.

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

OR BUILD THE SHIT OUT OF IT, AND WASTE ALL YOUR SAVING INTO MAKING IT HELLA FAST!!!!

well at least thats what i would do if my car was gonna be down for a few days....

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

bent valves, split valve seals, etc, etc.

If anything chipped off a valve you'll have scored cyl walls and maybe a cracked ring.

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

Like Jet said, it depends upon the severity of the hit. I've seen pistons cracked from valves slamming into them, and I've pulled apart perfectly running engines and seen valve damage on the pistons from previous repairs.

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

What do you mean split valve? The head of the valve came off? If so then the head and pistons are probably junk.

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

I think he was talking about cracked valve seats, which I have not seen yet from "just" bent valves. The bottom of the valve guide will crack if the valve is bent enough, but I do not think the valve seal would be damaged unless you had a keeper/retainer issue.

~John

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

please post pics of said damage. you might be fine. usually nothing super major happens but every once in a while you get some good chunks taken out

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

Well here they are!! Doesn't look like engine is damaged. You see all pistons, the broken head, and the new one

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

haha that is the best way too go!!

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

File down the pistons where they had contact with the valve. Other than that you'll be good to go.

What the hell is all over your engine bay? Looks like metal shavings or over spray...

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

Ya that was all the gunk that was left over from a junk head gasket that I had to grind off. Now I am just lining up everything to slip on the timing belt and the cams want to turn about 2 to 3 turns off of their mark. Is there a trick to keep the cams and the crank in the correct location while you get the belt and tensioner on correctly?

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

Wait... "Grind off"???

I hope you meant "scrape off". Grind and head gasket do not go together.

I'm guessing you mean the cams want to move 2-3 teeth from their mark. You can put the belt on one cam gear, zip tie it, then move the other cam gear with a wrench and zip tie the belt to it when lined up.

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

ahh, he probably used an air grinder and hopefuly a soft disc and removed the stubborn gasket, not what I would have done, but as long as he uses a stock style headgasket he should be fine. I'd also reccommend coating it with "Copper Spray" which you can get at your local parts store.

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

Yes I did use an air grinder with a very very very soft disk. I have cork like plugs that block off all the holes in the block so that nothing gets in. Yes there was a stock head gasket in there and yes I already used that copper spray a gaket. I love that stuff!! I will try the zip tie trick. Right now i was just trying to line up the marks on the bench. I will make it work thank you

Re: Valves hitting pistons
 

Wow, those valves hit the pistons pretty hard. I wouldn't reuse them, but I guess worst case scenario you have to redo the engine. Good luck!