INSPECTION

Inspect the valve springs for breakage or corrosion and replace as necessary. Measure the free length for conformity to specification and replace as necessary. Limits are:

• 1.3L engine: 1.406 in. (36mm) inner; 1.539 in. (39mm) outer
• 1.5L engine 1981–82: 1.705 in. (43mm)
• 1.5L engine 1983–85: 1.654 in. (42mm)
• 1.6L engine 1986–87: 1.673 in. (42.5mm)
• 1.6L engine (non-turbo) 1988–89: 1.665 in. (42.3mm)
• 1.6L engine (turbo) 1988–89: 1.803 in. (46mm)
• 2.0L (Code MA) engine: 1.449 in. (37mm) inner; 1.469 in. (37mm) outer
• 2.0L (Code FE) engine 1983–85: 1.984 in. (50mm) outer; 1.744 in. (44mm) inner
• 2.0L (Code FE) engine 1986–87: 2.000 in. (50mm) outer; 1.681 in. (43mm) inner
• 2.2L engine: 1.902 in. (48mm) intake and 1.937 in. (49mm) exhaust
• 3.0L engine: 1.819 in. (46mm) intake inner and 1.988 (50.5mm) intake outer; 2.063 (52.5mm) exhaust inner and 2.264 (57.5mm) exhaust outer.

  Fig. 1: Use a caliper gauge to check the valve spring's free length

  Fig. 2: A carpenter's square can be used to check the valve spring for squareness. The spring should be straight up and down when placed like this

On some engines, the valve springs should also be checked for straightness. Sit them flat next to a perpendicular surface and rotate each spring until there is a maximum gap between the top of the spring and the perpendicular surface. Then, measure that distance. The limits are:

• 1.6L engine 1986–87: 0.055 in. (1.4mm)
• 1.6L engine 1988–89: 0.059 in. (1.5mm)
• 2.0L (Code FE) engine: 0.066 in. (1.67mm)
• 2.2L engine: 0.067 in. (1.7mm)
• 3.0L engine: 0.064 (1.63mm) intake inner and 0.070 (1.77mm) intake outer; 0.074 (1.89mm) exhaust inner and 0.083 (2.11mm) exhaust outer