could I have wrecked my engine? I turned the key while it was running, and now the idle sounds SUPER rough. i limped home, but worried about bent valves etc

grrr

 

How exactly do you think the valves, that have no chance of hitting the pistons because we have a non-interference motor, could bend by turning a key?

Maybe the timing belt jumped so that's off now? Not sure if that's possible but I guess if the crank comes to 300rpm instantly the cams could have enough momentum to cause slack in the belt before the crank gear which could allow it to jump a tooth or 2.

 

I can't imagine the starter actually managing to catch the flywheel while idling. Ever hear somebody turn the key while the engine is running? The starter gear normally just grinds on the ring gear of the flywheel without ever fully extending.

 

maybe you ground off a few teeth on the ring gear.

also: hahaha

 

So to clarify this, you had the engine idling...then turned the key. The starter made a grinding noise and you said, "oh ****, it's already running!" Then it started to idle weird.

I never saw anything like this happen in my entire life that would cause an idle issue, but like Paul said, maybe the timing belt jumped? I don't know what year it is, but if it's a 99 then maybe the harmonic vibrations from your actuated kneuter valve caused the timing wheel to flex and you knocked a tooth off it. Either that or I'd check the flux capacitor.

Seriously though, start it up and shoot it with a timing light, and report back with the results.

 

stupid thread
stupid person

 

+1 on busted kneuter valve. They just aren't designed for that kind of abuse.

 

Sound like a question to post over at miata.net. That's where all the smart people hang out. We really don't work on our cars, we just talk big and bench race. See this thread for reference. https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/t34575/