Quote
Took her in because of a tapping sound from the engine. After a month of not being able to solve the problem, the dealer pulled the head. An intake valve was sticking open and making contact with the top of the piston, which promptly closed the valve!

No broken timming belt, No broken valves, No damaged piston. But the valves did make contact with the top of the pistion! Since the Sporty was a month out of warrenty and I know the service manager, Hell I shoot him on a reagular basis on the paintball field, why would he lie? I paid for 1/2 the cost of the parts and NO labour, Also had the timming belt changed at the same time and the head tested for cracks, had all the valve seats honed, A new set of lifters and hydralic adjusters, basically I had the top end rebuilt!

In theory the engine is a Non-interferance engine.
In theory the Titanic was unsinkable
In theory the Paris Hilton should go to jail


If a valve spring broke or the HLA collapsed the valve would extend further into the combustion chamber than normal. That would explain the contact with the piston. Sounds like that's what happen in your case.

1998 Sportage - Gone.
2004 Honda Civic Coupe.
2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara - She got it.