What Happened To My Engine?
Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 3:55 am
So I was cruisin' on the freeway today on my way in to work and the car starts acting just a little funny, kinda studdering a bit. After a few seconds of this, I get a jolt and hear a rapid "clack clack clack", which resembled the sound of a chain being drug over a sprocket! I immediately put in in neutral and pull over to the side of the road. As soon as I put it in neutral, the engine dies.
Finally after 4 hours of running around to get a dolly, I get it towed home to inspect. I thought for sure my timing chain was bustificated. We pull off the valve cover and everything is in-tact! The chain is there and seems to have the right tension. I put the car in gear and push it a little and the engine parts all start moving as they should. Cranking the engine with the key turns just as it should, but it won't fire. I checked spark and it's all there just dandy.
I decided to pull the plugs out and check compression and I found my first clue. Plug #3 looks like this:
So what happened?!? Judging by the angle that the plug is damaged, I'd guess that it would have to be a collision with the valve. Could a valve have "come loose" and dropped into the cylinder? I can't see my piston (will take the head off tomorrow), but it doesn't look like it was hit from the bottom too much. The rest of the plugs look normal.
I guess I don't have many questions yet since I haven't figured out all I can, but does anyone have any comments on this situation? I must say I'm a little depressed at this point.
Finally after 4 hours of running around to get a dolly, I get it towed home to inspect. I thought for sure my timing chain was bustificated. We pull off the valve cover and everything is in-tact! The chain is there and seems to have the right tension. I put the car in gear and push it a little and the engine parts all start moving as they should. Cranking the engine with the key turns just as it should, but it won't fire. I checked spark and it's all there just dandy.
I decided to pull the plugs out and check compression and I found my first clue. Plug #3 looks like this:
So what happened?!? Judging by the angle that the plug is damaged, I'd guess that it would have to be a collision with the valve. Could a valve have "come loose" and dropped into the cylinder? I can't see my piston (will take the head off tomorrow), but it doesn't look like it was hit from the bottom too much. The rest of the plugs look normal.
I guess I don't have many questions yet since I haven't figured out all I can, but does anyone have any comments on this situation? I must say I'm a little depressed at this point.