Pistons hit valves?

TOMVILES

MEMBER
NISSAN SENTRA

I have a 1989 sentra with a 1.6L 4cyl engine and 105,000 miles
The person who had the car before me said it ran great until one day it lost power, he then turned the distributer and the engine regained power for 2 days, then died and would not restart.

He then started to replace the timming chain, but did not want to replace the head gasket or oil pan gasket.
Long story short, I finished the timming chain and gear set for him, only to find that the engine turns over like the plugs are out (very fast).
I checked the cam and it's turning, I also rechecked the chain position and it's dummy proof, so it's correct.
We are getting spark and fuel, and I tried all positions of the distributer.

I will check compression, and possibly remove the head soon.

any Ideas on this will be greatly appreciated.

2 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Was the belt broken when you changed it? If yes pull the valve cover and check for bent valves.

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Friday, September 21st, 2007 AT 9:08 PM

TOMVILES

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Merlin, sorry I had lost this web site till now.
The chain was not broken, or loose that I know of, but it was off when I began helping on the car.
I did remove the head after posting the question, and sure enough every one of the exhaust valves are bent.
I checked the chain, gears and old guides as well as the tentioner, the guides were busted, but all other parts looked great (already off the car)

another thing, the oil was overfilled by the owner by one quart every time, could that have caused this?

Again sorry for not getting back sooner.