i have a 96 sunfire 2.2L, about a month ago the car died suddenly while driving, i found out that the timing chain might have broken, i did a compression test and 2 cylinders are dead and the other 2 have pressure, the engine in the car was very good, it didnt smoke a bit, i would like to try and save it, i am planning on pulling out the engine this week to see if i can repair it, but before i go through the trouble of taking off the head, does anyone know if the 2.2 engine is designed to protect against bent valves in-case the chain ever breaks.
Nope. It's a interference engine. If the chain breaks bent valve most likely will happen.
Yeah you have bent valves, but the nice thing is those engines are a dime a dozen, and those heads can be bought pretty cheap with new valves and such for around 350 bucks. Just pull the head, should litereally take u all of a hour and a half.
so the 96-97 2.2L motors are not clearance motors?
Mine broke the timing chain a year ago, I had it replaced and its just never ran right since.
I thought bent valve but the shop should have told me if the chance of my engine was F*(KED right?
98regalgs wrote:so the 96-97 2.2L motors are not clearance motors?
Mine broke the timing chain a year ago, I had it replaced and its just never ran right since.
I thought bent valve but the shop should have told me if the chance of my engine was F*(KED right?
Bent valves dont mean engine is screwed, just that you will need either a new head with new valves, or to have ur head rebuilt. And correct, the engines are not clearence or non-interference motors. When chains break, valves DO get whacked. if ur having running issues, best bet is u have bent valves, especially if you broke a timing chain, then u do no questions asked.
EDIT: Oh and yes, shop should have told u that you have bent valves, if they didnt, they screwed u, sorry man.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Sunday, December 12, 2010 10:38 PM
if thats the case I think Im just gonna go out to the pull a part and grab a head for 30 bucks. Is it worth rebuilding or milling at all or should I just slap it on and call it good? I know the 2.2 isnt a big performer hooked to this old 3 speed auto
Well, with a yard head, ur taking a gamble, I know for 30 bucks it sounds like a good deal, but you dont know if the head is warped or if its cracked or whatnot. Best bet is to try and find the nicest one there, and go from that. If anything I know Napa sells a rebuilt head for around 300 bucks. That in the long run is the cheapest. all you need from there is the head gasket, and swap it out and take the core back and be done. But if u do get one from a yard, make sure you have it checked to make sure its true.
Yes thats correct, Napa has awsome deal on cyl heads. I was thinking of a wrecking yard cyl head as well, Then I really thought well if something is messed with it, Then I got to take apart the cyl hd and again. Its a 50/50 chance. Better to get rebuilt one from the auto parts store better route to go.
Good Luck.
