A friend recommended to come here for a question, so I figured I would.

I have a 3.1L 12V Cavalier, and I recently took the heads off. I'm almost positive the middle cylinder intake valve isn't opening, but is there any way to check?

I am taking the heads to be machined soon, should I just let them do it?

Thanks

 

bump

 

how are you positive the intake valve is not opening?

is the push rod bent? lifter collapsed? rocker arm broken?

what your question?

 

The color/shade of that specific intake valve is not the same as the others. Looks identical to the exahust valve.

I first pulled the intake plenum, and when looking into where the intake valve is, there was quite a large puddle of gas. Then, when I pulled the head I saw the discoloration. Heres a picture of the head....



Any thoughts?


Modified by Black Z-24 at 7:51 PM 7/23/2004

 

well if it's the same color as the exhaust valve how did it get like that? It had to open to burn something in the cylinder to make it discloroed like the exhaust or could I be wrong

 

was the engine ticking or making unsusual noises before you took it apart?

 

No noises. I originally took it apart because there was a coolant/oil mixture and a rear exhaust leak. It was also running very rich, with blue/white smoke burning from the exhaust.

Is there any way to test if it was opening? I would rather not put it on and have to break it all the way back down.

 

it was probably a bad headgasket on that bank leaking into that cylinder which causes the white/blue smoke and coolant mixing into the engine oil.

if the valve wasnt opening there would be a dead missfire on that cylinder.

have the machine shop check the head surface and even pressure test them to make sure the head is not cracked.

 

Alright thanks for the help