1997 Mitsubishi Montero Bent valves after waterpump went ou

GREY03MACH1

MEMBER
1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
132,000 MILES

OK, my post is more asking for advice rather than troubleshooting for a problem. I just purchased a Montero and about 3 months later the bearing on the waterpump locked up. This broke the timing belt, crankshaft position sensor and apparently bent some valves. The mechanic told me the engine didn't have any compression. Now I am faced with either replacing the entire engine or fixing the valves. I am somewhat knowledgeable when it comes to vehicles but not enough for a valve job. I was thinking of tearing down the engine and removing the heads. Then taking it in to a mechanic for the valve work. Does this sound like the best thing for me to do? I'm not rich and a motor is going to run me at least $1,500-$2,000. Any advice is appreciated.
BTW- this is for a 3.0 liter SOHC V-6

6 Replies

OBXAUTOMEDIC

MECHANIC
3,711 POSTS

Hello,

Yes it would be. However, there could be more damage than expected. With the valves being bent the other possible damage would be to the Piston.

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Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 AT 2:52 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

I will tell you this, if you arent familiar with setting the timing on V6 engines, If you are off with the marks, you'll bend the new valves too. Not saying you cant do it, just be aware of the pitfalls!

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Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 AT 2:54 PM

GREY03MACH1

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3 POSTS

Thanks for your prompt response. I suppose I could check for piston damage or any cylinder wall damage when I remove the heads. Thanks again, I just wanted to make sure that was the best route.

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Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 AT 2:57 PM

GREY03MACH1

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3 POSTS

It is interesting that you say that because when the car broke down and was on the side of the road it didn't have valvetrain noise while turning it over. After the mechanic replaced the crankshaft sensor, timing belt and metal tab (that marks timing) he called me with news of bent valves. Now when turning the engine over I can hear clattering. Is it possible he didn't set timing correctly and bent the valves? He seemed to act strange. I am not looking for a free ride but if he didn't know how to set timing on my motor he shouldn't have took the job. Hell there probably isn't any way to know now regardless.

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Sunday, October 5th, 2008 AT 5:08 AM

DANIELJONES1

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8 POSTS

At first glance I thought you had a point about not hearing the valves when you turned it over, and then hearing them. And you may. I would pursue it. However, I can tell you that my valves are currently bent from a timing belt snap (evidenced by no compression) but I hear nothing when I turn it over. So you don't necessarily have to hear anything for them to be bent, but the fact that you do hear it now makes me wonder.