Is there a way to change valve stem seals?
Head gasket kits usually come with a new set of valve stem seals. You can install them yourself with one simple tool. It’s totally worth doing, old hardened seals will allow oil into the engine which will cause a blue smokey cloud at traffic lights or when restarting the engine. Easy fix, just follow my guide. Loading…
How do you install a valve seal on a 350 engine?
Apply a light coat of new engine oil to the valve stem with your clean index finger and then install the valve seal on the valve stem with your hand. Install the valve spring, then the shield over the spring and finally the spring retainer.
How much does it cost to replace a valve guide seal?
The result will be a large cloud of white smoke coming out of the tailpipe after you first start the car. The cost of replacing your valve guide seals will vary according to the make and model of your vehicle. The good news is the cost of the parts for valve guide seals is between $30 to $100 on average.
What happens when you have a bad valve guide seal?
A bad valve guide seal will also have a tiny gap in it after it’s been in the cold for a while. This means that when you start a cold engine, that little bit of oil gets sucked through the seal gap into the combustion chamber. The result will be a cloud of blue-white smoke coming out of the tailpipe when you first start the car. 6) Low Power
Do you need to install a valve seal first?
The compressed valve spring must be installed FIRST, then the valve seal installed, then the valve keepers. Once these items are installed, then you can turn the valve spring compressor counter-clockwise to extend the valve spring.
Can a valve seal be replaced on a car?
Valve seals are an easy enough “on car” repair if one has an air compressor in their garage capable of maintaining at least 120 PSI, any less pressure than that, then there is a good chance the valve will drop down into the cylinder bore.
What happens when you cut the valve seal?
If the valve seal is installed first, when you place the valve spring assembly over the valve stem, the spring retainer will rip / cut the valve seal and all your work will amount to nothing but blue billowing smoke out of the exhaust.
How do you remove a valve seal from a cylinder head?
With the spring compressed, remove the valve keepers ( having a small telescoping pocket magnet will assist greatly in this ) and you should be able to see the valve seal at this point. Sometimes the seal is so deteriorated that very little of it, if any, remains on the valve stem. If you do see the seal, use a dentists pick and remove it.