Valve Stem Seals (How hard)

[Dave cook]

Can anyone tell me how hard it is to change the stem seals?
if anyone could give me some advice i would be so grateful

[volcano rs]

take the head off and clean the ports at the same time .not an easy job . you can do the seals with the head still on ,personally i've never done it that way myself but it can be done.

[Graham]

This is one way i have done them before and will work on an S2, but re-setting up the cam/crank timing is critical.
1)Remove the coils, cam cover, timing belt off the cam shaft end(AFTER FIRST MAKING A MARK TO LINE UP THE BELT TOOTH WITH A TROUGH ON THE CAMSHAFT PULLEY (tip ex) and the cam sprocket.) cam shafts, and tappets and spark plugs.
2)Get/buy an adapter for a compressor which will screw into a spark plug hole.
3)Fit the adapter into the spark plug hole and pressurise a cyinder.
4)Then proceed removing the valve gear of the pressurised cylinder using a valve spring compressor for a cylinder head in car (These are just a lever with a pivoting section which screws into a rocker cover hole and along the handle section dangling down is a valve spring compressor) remove all of the valve springs and collets.
5)Remove the valve stem seals of the first 4 valves with long nosed pliers and fit the new seals with a deep socket which fits over the seal and presses on the flange of the seal squarely.
6)Check all of the components removed for wear and size (Springs, tappets etc), also check the collets and caps for cracks (Collets require either Dye colour testing, Magnetic particle, or ultrasonic testing as they do crack over time, or buy some new ones to be on the safe side) and rebuild the 1st 4 valves
7)Move onto the next cylinder and repeat this proceedure
8)Rebuild to Manual instructions checking/changing gaskets and seals.
HTH
This is quite easy when compared to removing the head and it has worked on the few cars i have used this method on 100%, and mates who do this have never had any problems either.
Graham

[volcano rs]

thanks graham i knew it was possible but i prefer the old fashion way if valve stems need doing there is a good chance it needs decoking as well in my book anyway.

[Chris M]

Yeah take the head off and replace the headgasket with a better one, ready for the power mods coming

[Dave cook]

Thanks Guys for the advice

[Dave cook]

Does anyone know where i could take my cylinder head to get rebuilt?