Dean - never done one on-the-car. Can anyone recommend an affordable or makeable tool? The one on the Samba thread looks pricey. This is really interesting. Can you upload a few snapshots? From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dean Johnson Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2013 4:37 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [vintagvw] Valve spring retainer keepers. gone missing? Also, where would I be likely to find a valve spring compressor tool to use with heads on engine, engine in car. I can find pictures but none to buy, borrow, or steal. On Mar 28, 2013 6:32 PM, "John Sroka" <[email protected]> wrote: Hey Dean. Wow, that is really strange. Any chance someone 'liberated' the keepers from that valve sometime in the 4 years after the transmission failed? Here is a thread from thesamba about the air compressor tool: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=466412 Can't wait to hear the outcome of this. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dean Johnson Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2013 3:24 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [vintagvw] Valve spring retainer keepers. gone missing? Chuck, Then engine wasn't making any rattling before I stopped driving it. I only stopped because I lost 4th gear (at least) while driving on the highway. So if the valve isn't bent, and the valve stem is in good shape I can replace the keepers in place. That would be a miracle. I'll see if I can gather the parts for an 'air hold'. I have a compression gauge perhaps the hose from that will work.
Thanks, Dean On Thu, Mar 28, 2013 at 6:14 PM, Chuck Kuecker <[email protected]> wrote: If the valve can be pulled back level with the other valves, it's unlikely it is bent. If you can get your hands on an "air hold" - an air fitting that screws into the spark plug hole and uses air pressure to hold the valves closed - you can compress the spring and replace the keepers without tearing the engine apart. You can make one with an old spark plug and a pipe nipple and a little welding or soldering - or even JB Weld. Turn the engine over so the valves are closed before applying pressure - have the car in gear so the motor can't turn over. If there's no hissing from the carb or muffler, the valve is still seating correctly. If not, it's probably bent. Was the engine making any rattling noises? Chuck Kuecker On 3/28/2013 4:59 PM, Dean Johnson wrote: I've gone to the trouble of replacing my transaxel after having the bug off the road for four years. I was commuting daily for about a year before the tranny failed. (70 mi round trip) So imagine my surprise to discover when adjusting the valves that one of my valve stems is below the valve spring retainer. Its suppose to stick above that so the rocker foot can push on it. This seems really bad. Doesn't this mean my valve has been getting clobbered by the piston? Doesn't this mean I have to pull the head and have it rebuilt, if possible, or replaced. Or is this the one time when something seems bad but really isn't? I suppose I could take off the rocker arm to see if the valve stem is ok, if the valve spring retainer keepers are anywhere to be seen. I don't really have much more money or time to throw at this. Please send me a miracle. Oh, Its a '71 Super Beetle with about 30,000 miles on an 1915 cc engine rebuilt by Strictly Foreign (circa 2000). I was running it with a single 34pict jetted for the larger displacement. Dean Johnson Williamson, NY p.s. to make sure my terminology makes sense, valve stem: skinny end of valve sticking out towards the rocker assembly. valve spring retainer: disk shaped metal with hole in the center for valve stem. sits on top (out board really) of the spring valve spring retainer keeper: This I can't see but I assume there are two of this buggers around the valve stem that sit in a circular groove around the end of the valve stem, they keep the valve stem from doing what mine did, sneaking back towards the combustion chamber. -- Visit the VintagVW archives at http://mail-archive.com/[email protected] --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "VintagVW - Air Cooled Volkswagen Discussion List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected] <mailto:vintagvw%[email protected]> . To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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