MK1 Valve Stem Oil Seals

[sportline]

Help!  I am new to the world of the Volkswagen and need to change the valve stem oil seals on my Mk1 GTi Cabrio 1.8i.

Does anyone know if it can be done without removing the head, and if so, does it require a special tool.

Thanks

[richandhazel]

It can be done although I haven't done it myself, I've always taken the head off.
I'm aware of 2 methods, first is to use a compressed air supply in the spark plug hole to hold the valve up........I once made up an adapter using an old spark plug, just never got round to trying it.
Second way is to get some non fraying rope and push as much through the spark plug hole as you can, with the piston at BDC, and then turn the engine to compress the rope.
As I say I can't vouch for the merits of either method as I haven't done it.

[bigkev750]

richandhazel is right you can knock up a tool from an old spark plug by braking out the ceramic insert and buying a air tool adapter,then welding that into the old spark plug outer.you then screw that into the head and it holds the valves closed for you,(with a commpresor of course)allthough you will need two people to  refit the valve retainers it is much easier than removing the head
  :'(i hope your rings are ok

[golfvr6]

I've heard of doing the job with the head in situ as well. One question, how do you compress the valve springs?

[bigkev750]

you can take an old socket and grind a hole in the side big enough to to get a small screwdriver in with the valve collet  stuck onto it with a bit of grease you can then put an extension on that and get a willing partner to apply pressure using a pry bar or similar to hold down the valve retainer (making sure it does'nt slip)
easy as that  
P.S.stuff a rag into the oil drain holes just in case :'(

[golfvr6]

I got the proper valve spring compressor tool (for head removed), those springs certainly aren't easy to compress!

[bigkev750]

make sure you have a big mate handy

[golfvr6]

Would you have to use compressed air? surely if the piston is at TDC in that cylinder then the valve can't fall in?

[bigkev750]

yeah thats right if you go back to my original reply you c
can read how to make your own fitting  
cheap as chips as they say.