Help with replacing valve spem oil seals

[lancashiregolf]

Hi am a new member and need a bit of help.
The other day my mk golf gti (8v) starting putting out a bit of smoke from the exhaust while driving along and i noticed a bit of oil leaking from the engine above the sump. I was told that the valve stem oil seals may have gone but today it started to missfire, I have been told its probably the valve stem oil seals,

Does anyone have any tips or help to help me sort out the problem

Thanks...

[mk1]

Hi  lancashiregolf,
valve stem seals can be replaced with the head still on the block, easier with the head off and you will be replacing the head gasket,best to also replace the timing belt and tensioner while you are at it. Worn stem seals will make the engine smokey but not misfire, there may be another problem, ht leads and distributer cap and rotor may be worth a look. 
Hope this helps,
Steve.

[lancashiregolf]

Hi steve thanks for the advice, i used some engine flush on the car today but when it heated up it started running like a bag of sh!t stil l and had no power because it was missfiring so much. Im not sure what to do yet though. Is it still best to take out the valve stem oil seals and check them and the valves??
How do you do it without taking the head off(i havent done a job like this before)

Brad

[...joe]

you need to take the cam out and all the followers etc, them you'll need to get the collets and springs out which wont be easy with out the right tools. simple from then on!

[mk1]

I don't think the miss-fire is valve stem seal related, check the ign system and spark plugs.
Steve.

[richandhazel]

Before you even consider the valve stem seals I would find out what is causing your misfire. Valve stem seals, as Steve says, will not cause the misfire. Just wondering if you've burnt a valve out. Check the basics, ignition system, HT leads etc., if thats all ok then I think a compression check must be next on the cards.