Thread: Random misfire help!!!

the valve stem is in the middle of the spring. the spring holds it up. if theres no stem sticking up it dropped in the cylinder and thats a game ender.

take the spark plug out. see if its smashed. if so you ate the valve. aka put a fork in her, shes done.

Originally Posted by Dallasneon

I think the game has ended, it's no where to be found.

So sad, man. RIP that 3800. I would not even crack open the engine any further, its time to replace. Happy hunting up another in your area. I'd be curious what you end up paying for a salvage engine, if thats the path you take on this.

You dont have to use an air compressor on a 3800 to change a spring. All you do is take something, i used my dipstick, and insert it into the spark plug hole then crank the engine over by hand till you feel the piston come to tdc. then you can remove the rocker and compress the spring and the valve will at most drop 1/2-1 inch. Then just put a little assembly grease where the stem meets the guide to hold it up while putting the new spring on.