[Mozencrath]

Can someone tell me if this sounds like a dropped valve seat:

Odd clanking noise near #4 cylinder. Noise completely disappears after a day, and runs fine for 3 weeks, minus the fact it lacks some power. Then car suddenly dies on the hway and we find the head gasket is blown. We know the gasket is blown because of water in the oil. Spark plug tips are ugly, but not broken. Is this a valve seat drop?

 

[madmatt2024]

It could be. Might as well pull the head and find out.

 

[Mozencrath]

It could be. Might as well pull the head and find out.

But how could the noise disappear if a valve seat dropped?

 

[juggalo]

more than likely

 

[Mozencrath]

more than likely

but what about the fact that the car ran for weeks after the noise stopped?

 

[juggalo]

all of that combustion melting the seat onto the piston. might need to replace that piston

 

[madmatt2024]

The seat could have been loose and partially pooped out and the noise disappeared when it found its way back in. Then it could have fully dropped while you were driving. The rod could have also punctured the cylinder wall causing the coolant and oil to mix.

Any time coolant and oil are mixed you need to pull the head off at some point. Now get to it.

 

[zzyzzx]

I'm also guessing dropped valve seat. Obviously it could be something else, but this is an Escort and I'd bet money on a valve seat problem if I were the type to gamble.

My valve seat survey thread:
http://www.feoa.net/modules.php?name=Fo ... ic&t=50370

 

[the1nicko]

You are going to need to pull the head anyways. There is no way to say for sure, its just a guess, I would guess no, but take the head off and inspect it.

 

[Intuit]

Mine wasn't a valve seat. Hydraulic roller lifter with a bad roller. 5 minute job to pull and check. Simply look for flat spot(s) on the roller and/or missing bearings; play in the roller, hang-ups or resistance to rolling.

Described as a hallow (or solid) clacking or tapping noise in the head.

 

[Intuit]

Valve cover bolts are VERY easy to break by the way. (they're aluminum) 7ft-lbs of torque max... I think. Anyway just be very careful...

 

[Greenescort]

Bad lifters blew your headgasket?

 

[Intuit]

Iron block, aluminum head. HGaskets unfortunately don't need a "reason" to go on vehicles of this era; including Neons, Saturns, etc.

 

[Greenescort]

That is true. I just fixed a 96 lx with a dropped valve seat. Sounded like a thrown rod. Needed cylinder head, piston, and a new rod. Just got it running today.

Coincedentally a couple of my lifters had the pin holding the roller come loose. It dug grooves into the lifter bores

 

[white-lightning]

Coincedentally a couple of my lifters had the pin holding the roller come loose. It dug grooves into the lifter bores

I had one do that, replaced it and all is fine.