Help, I was in process of doing a valve adjustment on my 12v and number two exhaust valve retainer has a large divot gone from one side? What might have caused this? Is it something that needs immediate attention? Whats the best way to replace it? Any ideas appreciated. I have a photo if I can figure out how to post it.
Thanks

 

Nobody?

 

You can get a screw handle valve spring compressor from an auto parts. Turn the engine so that piston is at top to keep the valve from dropping when you remove the spring. Compress the spring and remove the keepers and reverse the procedure with the new retainer. It is not that hard to do with the spring compressor. You do need to address that problem or it will cause the spring to break or valve guide wear from the uneven pressure on the valve stem. It could even break the valve but that is less likely.

 

Thanks for your reply. I am trying to locate a single retainer. Any idea what might have caused this?

 

It just looks like a defective retainer. You should be able to find one at a good machine shop. I worked at a NAPA store for a while and we could get them in the engine parts line. Other parts stores might be able to get one as well.

 

Thanks for the reply. I could not find one at any local parts store, but Cummins had them
for just under 4 bucks each. They had no idea what might have caused it, but it's fixed now.

 

are you sure it was not like that before?
looks like a factory defect,but what idiot would let that go?

 

I don't know? Doesn't look like it was worn away. Looks more like just a chunk fell off?
I can't imagine leaving something like that if you knew about it. Oh well it is fixed now. I wish I could put my finger on exactly what caused it so I could avoid it in the future, but maybe it's just an unexplained occurance.

 

I worked a machine shop for 20 years and yours is the only one I have ever seen do that so I wouldn't worry too much about it happening again.