VALVE STEAM SEALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GSRGRL]

I WAS QUOTED 1200 TO GET MY VALVE STEAM SEALS FIXED, HE SAID THE HEAD HAD TO COME OFF....ANOTHER MACHANIC QUOTED 600 AND SAID THE HEAD DIDNT HAVE TO COME OFF.....WHAT THE???? ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS IF THE HEAD HAS TO BE REMOVED AS I DONT KNOW WHICH PLACE IS STUFFING ME AROUND....

 

[JSTYLE]

to do it properly.. the head has to come off.

Jon

 

[GSRGRL]

but it can be done with head on...which one do u recommend.....head on or off??? just theres a massive price difference

 

[GVR40]

head off

 

[to4garret]

so why does the head have to come off to replace stem seals?

AFAIK, the head would need to come off if changing the valve guides, not the stem seals.

 

[DOUGMO]

head off,

so that he can re-seat the valves,

inspect the valves,seats and guides

vrs set so all the gaskets are new and the head gasket can be changed too.

do it properly with the head off

 

[GSRGRL]

ive been told my valves are fine just seals.... so then there is no need to remove head.... sorry if this is stupid questions.....

 

[DOUGMO]

.

up too you,to do it with the head on requires the cylinder to be presurised to hold the valves up so the seal can be changed,

but to do a proper job you need to get the head removed.

you eliminate other problems in the long run by doing it that way.

in the end its your car and your decision and going the other way may work out ok also.


get a few more quotes from other shops

 

[3diamond]

Remove intake manifold, remove exhuast manifold, hold valves by finger by a rubber glove or somthing grippy. Compress spring, remove collets, remove old stem seals, replace with new, refit collets, remove spring compressor, and your done.

Ive seen this done, its the finger technique.

 

[GVR40]

the springs need to come off to replace the stem seals, so the easiest way to do it is to remove the head

 

[Jonson]

I can pretty much guarantee you that the mechasnic that is going to take the head off will do a better job. Every mechanic knows the PROPER way to do stem seals is with the head off. Everything can be checked and replaced as well as new gaskets and seals with the VRS kit you are meant to buy also.

The mechanic willing to do them with the head on doesnt give two shits about the car. If they did they would be doing it properly. This way does work but is a lot less thourough.

 

[GSRGRL]

i spoke to the $600 job the ones who will do it with the head on, they said they use this pressure hose and it keeps the pressure in there (wouldnt have a clue where) and this makes it so the steam seals dont full through and this means there is no need for the head to be removed.... SOUND RIGHT???? sorry for bad description..........

 

[Richard]

Sounds right, I think others have said that yes it can be done with the head on, what he will do is set the piston to the top, remove the spark plug and put a fitting that is connected to compressed air into the hole and use the compressed air to hold the valves in place.
The $1200 job will get your valve stem seals replaced but also will have a much more thorough inspection of the top half of your engine, so if there is any other problems that are not quite evident yet they will more likely be noticed (and fixed) now rather that turning into a problem later on. You are paying more money but are getting more work done, you could say a bit of preventative maintenance. Without taking the head off you cannot know for sure what other problems may be lurking there

 

[art]

If the reason you got these quotes is because the engine is blowing smoke, then it may not be due to the stem seals, it could be the rings and/or worn valve guides. If the $500 quote bloke says the stem seals will fix the smoke problem then you could let him do it.

 

[GSRGRL]

i got my car checked at tech sport and both of the guys said def. valve steam seals.... people have asked if its pistons but they are custom....
i wouldnt think they would go....there is heaps of smoke when i first start the car.... if i leave car running for a while then give it abit of rev heaps of smoke... and i know smoke comes out during boost but when i boost there is massive cloud behind me....also onto another topic.... im running 14psi but i only boost 12...its no boost leak either i had it checked....

 

[evopwr]

or you can do it all yourself with a $150 kit and regrind them valves for abit extra comp. ratio !

yes head needs to come off to do it properly ... how the fark can it be donw properly with the head still on ?? :?

 

[GSRGRL]

money aint the problem....
just wanting to know which seems better and why are they so different.... though i see now that head needs to come off....ill go with 1200 and then they can also see any other problems which they can fix while head is off....they prob find a few car isnt the same lately pretty slow not running right and has comp test and everything was perfect pretty much....i think it read 140 140 135 140

 

[CLuTZ]

I wouldnt even bother replacing them, unless its smoking real bad on idle!

how bad is it? is your engine using much oil? is it worse on start up when its cold??

 

[GSRGRL]

sometimes its really bad and then its not.... most times it just smokes bad on start up either hot or cold.... and yes i have noticed my oil going down alot faster.... though i know i shouldnt but its helps really good....stop smoke is wat ive been putting in my car and it stops 90%

 

[shadow]

Like the rest of the guys said, take the head off and do it properly. I had a similar problem, and no one could work out what it was, thought maybe head gasket but was just a little blow by in the end. Took the head off, valve guides were a bit worn, so replaced them and everything else while it was open.. Good chance to get a mechanic to have a quick look over.
I'd be looking around for a cheaper price though, because i got a lot more than that done for $1200......