RED MX5

That's SCARY! I don't see how it is physically possible for metal to crack without stretching, but apparently I need a more thorough inspection method.

Billman, have you ever see this?

Squeezer

i have 78k miles on my s2k and no problems, but this has me worried that i should check them. any pics of what good and bad ones look like in the dental mirror?

Billman250

Here ya go...broken retainer on the right, good one on the left. See how the retainer on the right has walked upwards, and it's flush with the valve tip.

This is exactly what you'll see in the dental mirror, the pic was easier to get with the rockers and cams out.



underside of the retainer on the right:

clawhammer

I'm sorry but I don't really see a difference between the two in the first picture. Is there anything else that you can show to someone like me to help me understand? Was that picture taken with the mirror?

Ek9

One valve stem is flush, the other is sticking up. Look at the metal disk at the top of the springs. That's the retainer.

So, the retainers crack but, the keepers are OK then, eventually the retainers split enough to allow the keepers to slip through? Damn, I need to pull my valve cover again.

RED MX5

Bill, Pushinlsteg says he's seen retainers that were cracked but didn't show this kind of valve-stem/keeper drop from above. Have you ever seen that? How is it possible for the keepers to crack without stretching and showing the above indication? If Pushinlsteg is correct our inspection procedure doesn't seem to be adequate.

Billman250

Man I can't explain it any better

If you don't see the difference in my pic then you never will on your car.

I can see it from across the garage with the cams off, I see it instantly even with out the mirror. The mirror helps you view it at a better angle to confirm.

Billman250

BTW I replaced them with 2004 retainers and 2004 keepers.

Squeezer

thanks for the pic billman250

stitos2k

And things like this is why I'll be visiting billman in august.