2.3 No Cracked Head...Broke Coil Spring!!!

Guys, I posted last week thinking I would probably have to change the head. My 94 2.3 had zero compression in first cylinder. I just finished taking off the head and found the intake valve spring broke. I'm going to get a low miles spring off an Olds ??? something in the salvage yard. I have to get another timing chain cover anyway. Broke this one on removal...another long story! I will say that was a pain in the rear getting the head off. I'm a pretty "experienced" mechanic and I don't ever remember having that many problems removing a head on anything...4,6,8 cylinder,FRW, or rear! I'm going to fix this one engine in, but I almost think pulling the motor for head repair would be easier. Do these springs break often?

Buy a new spring, for all the time it will take you to get one off another motor, you can walk into the parts store and get one. As for springs breaking, I have 244k miles on my quad, only thing I have had to do internal was change the head gasket. As for the timing cover, if you didn't remove the 3 bolts holding it to the oil pan you might want to get an oil pan as well as there's a good possibility you cracked it when trying to get the cover off. While you have it apart change the timing chain, tensioner and guides as well just to be safe. As for pulling the motor, it has to come out the bottom of the car, they don't fit out the top due to clearance issues between the transmission and frame rails, its much easier to leave the motor in the car to change the head. When I did mine when the head gasket blew, it took 11 hours in 95 degree heat with high humidity. Good luck.

Skibum, The timing cover cracked because in my haste to get the cam cover off I broke it with a hammer purposely. I didn't know the cam cover was bolted into the timing cover. I thought I would need a head anyway so I wanted to break just the cam cover and use the one off another motor. Well... the timing cover cracked also. I know a "hammer" to a motor doesn't sound very smart, but my buddy owns a wrecking yard and I bought the car from him for 100 dollars along with whatever it takes to get it running. Had I known the whole freak'in thing was bolted together...lesson learned! The other car has low miles so the spring should be alright especially seeing how many miles are on yours. Maybe the wreck broke the spring? They fixed most of the body, but there was no signs of damage to cam or lifters...maybe the hard hit? I can take more chances with parts since I get them cheap. I unbolted the pan bolts taking the rest of the cover off. I had to drill a 3/8 hole through the side of the inner fender to use the impact to break loose the front mount bolted on the front of the mtr. Now I understand why you said the motor goes out the bottom, Thanks for all the info.

I found a brocken spring on my 2.3, when I did my head gaskets - can't remember the exact milage, but it was under 200,000.