The seal on the oil filter of my Laser blew out & the engine ran dry of oil. I began to prepare for an engine swap thinking that I had seized a piston or two along with who-knows-what-other damage, but when I removed the timing belt, the crank turns freely as if there is nothing wrong. The intake cam also turns without a problem, but the exhaust cam doesn't move. I figure this means that I bent an exhaust valve or two. I also figure that I didn't seize any pistons being that the crank spins, but I'm new to ruining engines, so let me know if I'm wrong on either case. If I'm on-point here, then I should just need a few new exhaust valves & seals correct? Experienced input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


[Modified by 94gsr, 7:11 PM 4/3/2002]

 

sounds like the echaust cam might have seized in the head?

even if you can free it up there is probably lots of wear/damage inside the engine that you cant see........your best bet would be to change the engine.

 

Perhaps a new head, but I can't see replacing the whole engine if the crank still spins & there's no visible damage to the pistons or cylinders when I pull the head. Are you saying that there may be some bottom-end damage even though the crank still spins freely? If so, what exactly are you referring to?

 

the bearings ran dry from oil so they might be scored. it might start up and run for a bit but might eventually begin to knock........

you might get lucky and just need a new head and it might run fine. but is the car worth that much to you?

 

I was afraid you might say that.

The only thing that I think is working in my favor is that I didn't drive it for more than a block after the seal blew. By the oil on the street, the seal blew at the begining of the street block, right when I pulled away from the stop sign. The car died at the end of that block. When I drained the remaining oil, there was almost 2 quarts left, so hopefully, whatever happened to the exhaust stopped everything before any other damage occured... guess I'll find out tomorrow!

Thanks for the info.

 

the bottom end would have run dry last, after the head was dry, i guess,

hence the bad camshaft, if it was only a short time, i reckon you will be OK, provided you have keep it clean and good upto this unfortunate point...

good luck,

t..

 

The cam was seized to the one cam holder. I grinded all the excess aluminum away, smoothed everything out & redrilled the oil hole. I oiled everything up & temporarily reinstalled the cam to see if it'll turn with a ratchet. It does spin, but not quite as easily as the intake cam does. Is this normal, or do I have a slightly bent valve or two?

 

hmmm, a valve may have been damaged if the camshaft stoped moving...

see if all the valve stems are resting on the cam lobes/can move freely...look/feel for restriction of movement of the valves...

sorry to say, your next move should probably be to remove the head

t..