Anyone willing to replace valve stem seals for $$$?

[nonickname]

( Not sure if this is the right catagory? )My VR4 has developed pressure in the rocker cover. With boost leak test it sounds like a stem seal has gone on 1st cyl. I would replace them myself. But I would probably make a meal of it. So if anyone is confident and able to replace them, Give me a call and we can sort $$$ and a time.
Carl 0420783616- VIC

 

[Gianni]

I've changed cams and springs before. But haven't done stem seals.

 

[4piknup]

Pressure in the crankcase is caused by shagged rings, not stem seals (or shagged pcv)
Worn stem seals will show different symptoms. It will blow smoke at the times of high manifold vacuum. Ie, idle and descending a hill with foot off the throttle.

You need to do a dry and wet compression test to see the engine health, regards rings and valve sealing.

 

[nonickname]

Hmmm...might get a second opinion then and go from there. Hopefully its not a major this time

 

[bazeng]

Didn't you just buy the engine?

 

[4piknup]

Hmmm...might get a second opinion then and go from there. Hopefully its not a major this time

2nd opinion?
get this or one like it:
http://www.ebay.com....=item3f1e9346e0
get a screw in one so you can do it yourself...

remove all spark plugs and connector from coils,

Dry Test
screw tester into cylinder 1,
open accellerator all the way, and crank engine few times till gauge stops going up (5-6 compressions)
write down number on gauge,
press button to release pressure in gauge, unscrew from cylinder and screw into next cylinder.
repeat for all cylinders.

Wet Test
repeat test, but introduce around 1/2 teaspoon of oil into the each cylinder before testing that cylinder (maybe use straw/tube and syringe?)


post results for us to see.
all cylinders should be within 10%, and the wet test should not raise the test results much at all

you wont make a meal of that, and you will have a new tool for the shed, and you will be able to determine the health of any engine you are considering buying, without taking the sellers word for it...

or ask your 1st opinion guy what the results were to the test he did, if he didnt do the test, then he dosent even qualify to give a opinion. he is having a uneducated guess..

 

[nonickname]

Ok update time. Bought the compression tester and performed the test today. This was a dry test. 130psi across all four at running temp. Did not deviate a mm on the gauge. All exactly the same. Will perform wet test tues or wed. This is a forged engine. I took the oil cap off while up to temp and there is no pressure at all in the rocker cover. It does seem to when cold though. It actually alters the idle lifting the cap on and off. Is this normal for a forged engine? Its totally reliable. Never uses and oil. Doesn't smoke at all. I'm swaying towards it being normal. I'm hoping the combo of new exhaust manifold, recently rebuilt TB that had a massive piece of gasket missing and new ecu is finally going to get rid of the gremlins this car has had for the last couple of years and finally make the magical 210-220kws everyone tells me it should be making. Fingers crossed.

 

[4piknup]

Good on you for getting the tools and doing the test. Do the wet test with engine at same temp or do 1 cylinder dry if you are doing it cold. So we have a reference point.

 

[nonickname]

Wet test done. Was performed at the same running temp. 132-135 so barely any difference at all.

 

[4piknup]

Ok, so your bottom end is good and engine is good.

Start the engine and idle and remove oil filler cap. Place a piece of paper over the filler cap, does it suck down? Or blow off?
It should suck down and will show if the pcv system works properly and test for excessive blowby (if you have a catch can with a filter on top the paper will not suck down)

Personally
I think the boost tester will leak into the crankcase anyway, as some of the intake valves are open.

 

[4piknup]

If it sounded like it was leaking up the stems.
You sort of need to get the valve springs off and check the guides, and may as well put the stem seals on as well.
If guides are bad, you will need to plan the head to be pulled at some stage. There is no way to do the guides with the head on.

Put some stem seals in and try it

 

[nonickname]

Did the paper trick and it sucks down at idle. The motor never smokes or uses any oil/ warer etc so I'm pretty confident after the tests that it's sweet. Was probably just while the engine is cold it lets air pass through. Well I have the new ex manifold to replace the factory cracked one. Then it's on for a final tune. Only problem is my tuner is booked up till xmas

 

[4piknup]

yep, sounds like a good one. if its not smoking at idle, i think you are right

 

[bazeng]

Just buy him a slab and he'll fit you in.