So this fell out of my engine, identify?
 

So my 1993 1.6L is on a stand, head removed, and I flip it over to remove the oil pan. This spring falls out. Anyone know where the heck it came from? Some type of oil pressure check valve or something? Lifter for size reference.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1441301677

its from one of your lifters. look for the one that's actually two.

If spring is gone, check ball probably is as well.

But, the springs inside the lifters are usually straight, not tapered.

??

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1441304863

I'm with Rick here- it doesn't look like an HLA spring, and I can't imagine he would have missed the rest of the HLA falling out as well.


Greg: did this spring fall out of the head (you said it was removed) or did it come from somewhere else?

pcv?

dunno what else has a spring...

unless it randomly fell in one day, found a peaceful corner and hid-out for a while.

Oil pump bypass? It's a check valve spring.

It does look like a PCV spring.

Thats the only reason I know it looks like a PCV spring lol

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The head was removed when I flipped the engine over, and all of my HLA's came out as one piece when removed. It seemed to come out of one of the oil passages, but was pretty clean when it fell out. I'm going to check out some exploded diagrams and see if I can figure it out. Or maybe I'll figure it out when the pan is removed.

Inspect the PCV valve.

This makes perfect sense. PCV valve disintegrated, spring (and plastic bits) droped into the head. Spring fell into one of the oil drain holes and got hung up.

You'll find the plastic bits in the oil pan.