Possible to have marks on pistons but no bent valves?

[idosubaru]

99EJ22 with slipped timing belt.

 

All the pistons have valve contact marks on them....but there's only 2 bent valves.

 

***Keeping in mind the "engine was replaced before", but he doesn't know specifically what that means. It has a Phase I block and Phase II heads so something (or both) is not original. So those *could* be previously existing marks.

 

1. Can valves and pistons contact without bending valves? They're so small I figured they'd always bend.

 

2. Is it possible for a bent valve to pass the water holding test? Doesn't seem like it to me, but first time doing valves.

Edited December 21, 2011 by grossgary

[davebugs]

I'd think contact = bent vlaves. My caution here is one time I had a valve stem with a slight bend that seemed to seat well. Put the head on but guide wear was an issue.

 

Also I don't know about the whole "checking with water" thing.

 

I use gasoline, I'd think it's thinner. And water and heads (other than were it's supposed to be) doesn't sound good to me.

 

If there was contact I'd remove the valves and check. My "budget check" is to chuck them up in a drill and spin them and look for a wobble.

 

It's been a while so I don't recall more than this.

[idosubaru]

makes sense to check.

 

water was from reading online and the Authority on auto repair - youtube videos

 

thanks all, as nice as it always was dropping them off at a machine shop, i like finally learning all this technical head stuff!