I guess it is pretty blunt to say this, but the fact that the engine didn't start doesn't mean it all had to be taken apart. Unless there is more to the story?? But since you found broken timing chain guides, its a good time to go in there and do some maintenance. If the crankshaft and cams were still in sync, the valves are not damaged.
But, it is not hard to do and is worth your time to check. All you do is loosen all of the camshaft caps which will allow the camshafts to loosen up, and will also ensure that the valve springs are closing the valves completely. There is an adaptor you can get for your air compressor that allows you to attach your air hose to a fitting that threads into a spark plug hole. What you will do is compress the cylinder with air and see how well it holds air. If the valves are bent, you WILL notice a very substancial air leak in the cylinder. You can also do it "manually" by removing all the spark plugs, and install just a single spark plug in a cylinder and crank the engine by hand. You will be able to feel the engine's compression as that one cylinder with the spark plug builds pressure. You will have to do this to all six cylinders one at a time. If the valves are bent, it'll be pretty obvious that there is no compression. You can also lay a straight edge across all of the valve spring retainers. There should be darn near zero clearance between the straight edge and all the retainers. If one retainer is a bit lower than the others, there is definitely something strange going on there. The MLS head gaskets are not a common item of failure on the 2.7. I wouldn't touch them. I see no reason to pull the heads unless we have a compression loss symptom. > To whomever it may concern, > > I have a 1999 Intrepid with the 2.7L V6. I have half the engine torn > down. The plastic upper intake plenum, radiator, timing chain cover, > primary chain, both primary chain cam sprockets, all primary chain > guides, main tensioner,valve covers, and water pump are DISCONNECTED > and OUT of the engine. Both cylinder heads are still FULLY INSTALLED > on the engine, and both sets of camshafts are STILL FULLY ATTACHED to > each head, with the secondary chain on each set of cams still > attached, and the cams are still "in sync" with each other, and NONE > of the valvetrain has been tampered with by me. My question: > > > How do I check DEFINITELY for sure, if I have bent valves or not, > WITHOUT completely taking off the heads? I would like to know for > certain, because I am prepared to purchase a new timing chain kit > directly from Dodge(which will include new primary chain, all guides, > main tensioner, and timing cover gasket), along with a new water > pump, and ready to bust my ass for hours putting everything back > together. I just need to know for sure or not about the valves, so I > don't spend all the time and money, and then try to start the car > after the fact, and nothing happens, and it was all for nothing. > > *****NOTE: > > The right side(passenger side) long plasitc guide and short upper > guide(passenger side) was broken in two upon initial disassembly and > inspection, but the primary chain and all other guides and main > tensioner where still intact and fine, and all sprockets were FINE > with no missing teeth, and the crankshaft still turns freely. The > car DID NOT die while the engine was running; I went to go and start > it up one morning, and I just kept cranking with the starter, and I > heard the engine turning like normal cranking, but no engine start > whatsoever. PLEASE HELP! Need an EXPERIENCED 2.7L timing chain > replacer/installer guy's opinion! > Web: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid> Subscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Moderator: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
