tr34

So, recently on my 2008 HHR 2.2L the timing chain broke at 65k miles and when I got the head off, every valve was bent and each piston was nicked by the valves. Do you think it would be fine by just getting rid of the sharp edges and then just replacing the timing chain and head? Here are pictures of the nicks in each cylinder:

Cylinder 1

donbrew

I would just get a new head. The marks are not at thin spots and appear to be superficial.

sleeper

And definitely clean the engine block gasket mating surface a whole lot better.

Greybeard999

I had a 400 Pontiac that I redlined and floated the valves... Pistons looked better than these but it shattered the ring lands. Not sure if that can happen with a Eco or not... Hate to put an engine back together and find out later.

RJ_RS_SS_350

All 16 valves hit the pistons. It was cranked over after the chain broke.

Oldblue

Make sure you get a head for your 2.2, the camshafts are different on a 2.4

firemangeorge

I would guess that chain broke at a higher rpm. Bet it made a heck of a clatter when it let go.
I would just deburr those sharp edges so as not to have any "hot spots" that could create pre ignition issues. aka, engine knock.
The only concern I could see would be the ring landing area on the piston edge. Examine very closely for any small stress fractures on the piston edges. You may want to see if there's a dye test you can do to check for microscopic cracking.

(Didn't realize that the Ecotec design placed the valves so close to the combustion chamber edge)

tr34

Okay, thanks for the advice, I think I'll just look it over once more and then just put a new timing chain and head on, much appreciated!

Oldblue

There are kits that include new valves and you reuse your original cylinder head. Are the valve guides damaged?

sleeper

I would suggest a competent machine shop to check / & or replace the guides & new valves & lap them in.