checking for bent valves using wd-40 or penetrating spray

[Driftlife!]

heres the scoop. i have an sr20det, guy i bought it from dropped a small screw through the spark plug hole.(Did not know at the time of purchase) it drove fine for a few months wene i noticed a knock coming from the engine.but the idle was perfect. it didnt seem to rough idle or anything. just a knock. . i reved a bit and the knock went away. but after a few boost the knock came back. i reved it again not to strong and i heard the screw get spitt out into my intake manifold. i quickly turned it off. upon removal of the intake mani i saw the screw inside my manifold... so i removed the head to see the internal damage because i knew the screw was in there. the pistons had a few scrapes nothing on the side walls. . the head had a few scraches too, but not on the valves, it was on the side next to the valves. . so we fliiped the head over (combustion side up) and we filled each space with wd-40 to see if the liquid would seep through the valves and out through the intake or exhaust ports.after about 45 minutes we noticed all the valve stems were a bit soaked on the intake side. we were unable to see the exaust side. i heard of this technic to check if you have bent valves. has any one ever used this technic ?

[ravera]

Nope. My technique has always been take valves in question out, place stem on table and roll... if it's bent you'll notice. Sometimes if it's just the stem it'll still seal good enough to hold water, and even if it doesn't, it could just mean you need the valves lapped and not a bent valve issue.

Bob

[Koshin]

^^^^word up

[Driftlife!]

i'll try to remove a valve. check it that was. putting it back in will be the tricky part. the closest machine shop that does valves is like an hour and a half away. in another city. i should of just done a compression test before tearing it apart. oh well. live and learn. so ill be tearing up the block today, replacing 2 of the pistons that were a bit damaged from the screw . ill take pictures of the damage. so yall can see.

[bagerber]

I have used rubbing alchohol which seems to work well

[Firewind]

You can do this both ways. Rolling really can be a good way to do it, and also liquid leak testing it. I did both. When I took appart my head I rolled the valves and they all appeared strait, when I put the head back together after cleaning, I checked them visually and used throttle body cleaner to test. It isn't uncommon for a little to leak through. but if it is all running out, yeah something is bent.

Also I was able to take apart my KA24DE head in about an hour, and had it back together in about an hour and a half? maybe a bit faster. I used the Bluepoint GA317 tool. Saves you so much time. I'm pretty sure this one, or the other GA318A would work for the SR heads. much better then presses and clamps. I've been meaning to do a write up about the tool since it is so easy to use.

[Driftlife!]

you should defenatly do a write up on that maybe youd save me a few bucks. when i did the liquid leak test it barley soaked the valve stem. and it took about 45 min to show. left it for about an hour and half but didnt leak. i pretty sure there not bent. ill post up pictures pretty soon.