Riddle me this......head drama

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by Cool_____, Nov 22, 2010.

  1. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    So a very close friend of mine bought my old GT35R rotated setup (which is now for sale FYI) and he was deployed in Iraq. While he was gone he had a shop install the kit. He also had them check an annoying tick in the engine after I told him it sounded identical to mine when my valves were out of spec.

    Shop tore down engine and sure enough one intake was WAY out of spec on the high engine. So they fixed it. He got a rough road tune and was back home from deployment. Drove car 200 miles and SNAP CLANK CLANK....dead engine.

    Timing belt slipped. I'm not sure how the timing belt slipped exactly but I have heard a few rumors. Regardless when the engine was pulled again I found out that one of the buckets was shattered and split. I'm not sure if it was the replaced one but I'm trying to find out.

    So riddle me this......exactly how can that bucket split and shatter?

    I see only two options....
    1) Factory defect (highly unlikely)
    2) Tolerance was so stinking tight that the cam pressed down too hard and snapped it.

    What do the more mechanical/engineering savvy guys here think? If it turns out to be the bucket that was replaced.....I personally don't think he should have to pay to fix it.
     
  2. b reel

    b reel Active Member

    third option is a worn out head
     
  3. Kokopelli

    Kokopelli Active Member

    All kinds of things can happen when the piston hits a valve.
     
  4. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    I highly doubt that. Low mileage 2006 STi.
     
  5. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Yeah......I've heard of loose timing components too but not sure of that.
     
  6. Kokopelli

    Kokopelli Active Member

    How did the tensioner look?

    If they didn't preload it the right way they could have messed it up.
     
  7. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    That is the first thing I thought and I think they did reuse it. But I just can't see the bucket shattering like that.....but like you said when a piston hits that valve all havoc ensues.
     
  8. Alex

    Alex Community Founder Staff Member

    Like that boom boom pow? And I don't think factory defect really fits the bill on this one. I am far from an expert in the field, but I would imagine the chances are higher that there was a re-assembly issue.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 22, 2010
  9. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    I think it a reassembly issue. Oh and just so you guys know this is not any of the shops in the Atl so don't worry about that.
     
  10. Alex

    Alex Community Founder Staff Member

    Always good to know :)
     
  11. ballistic

    ballistic Member

    it probably broke the bucket after the timing belt slipped, are any of the valves bent?

    if the clearance was super tight it would just hold the valve open
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2010
  12. Mike@TTR

    Mike@TTR Active Member

    I have heard of shops grinding the buckets to try to clearance them. Lose temper of the metal and it could crack. Just a thought. People complain when we recommend installing all new buckets, but that really is the best way to go. Expensive little buggers though!
     
  13. I have to agree.
     

Share This Page