How do I determine of the valves are bent in a 185s?

[madmax]

My 185s appearently jumped time as the engine was shut down.

I took the recoil, and alt/gen housing off the LH side and the tensioner guide is broken. I took the CDI and valve cover off the top end so I could remove the timing chain. The chain is intact. The engine is still in the frame at this point. Is there a way to check for bent valves w/o removing the head? (To get the head off I'll have to pull the engine and I'd like to avoid that if possible).

Thanks
Max

[Ahickey]

a compression check would probably help, bent valves don't seat and so you'd have almost 0 compression. However, that involves turning the engine over and I'm not sure you'd want to do that with your timing chain issues. You could put your finger over the plug hole and see if you can feel compression, but that wouldn't be as conclusive as a compression guage and it still means you'd have to pull the engine over with the pull cord.

Adam

[jenndnn3]

I know a "cheap" trick for checking not seated valves. However it requires you lifting your head from the cylinder and piston itself. This extremly bad advice because you stand the risk a messing up your head gasket. If you are able to lift your head enough to be able to see between the 2 slide a very clean rag to cover your Cylinder and engine. then spray carb cleaner into the intake side and see if it flows thru, down onto the rag. Same thing on the exhaust side. Like I said bad advice. I myself would not do it without pulling the head...but this is for if you can't do a comprression test.

[Fuzzy]

If it just jumped time because of the chain tightener your valves should be fine. You could be 180 degrees off on the cam and the valves would still be fine. Look to see if both valves are all the way up. If you had a bent one. One of the valve springs would be compressed down because of the valve not being able to pull back up through the guide. But i wouldnt worrie to much about it. I bet your valves are fine. But if your chain guide is worn out. You will have to remove the head to replace it. No big deal you can get a topend gasket set from dennis kirk for around $15.00.

[Unregistered]

If your valve lash (0.002") is still OK, then your valves are still seating. If either or both of them show a large amount of clearance, suspect a bent valve.

[madmax]

Thanks for all the suggestions. One of the springs (the exhaust) is more compressed (by maybe 1/4 inch) than the intake. The cam is out of the engine and I can turn the engine over easily (sparkplug installed) with a rachet on the crank so I suspect the valve(s). Oh well, pulling the engine will be a good opportunity to inspect the piston/rings etc. Wish me luck!

Max