Engine tidy now thinking oil seals

[oakgreengolf]

I'm in the process of tidying the engine bay up and I'm getting a bit carried away!! I'm getting all the aluminum parts cleaned. Question is whether to do the oil seals whilst its all off. Engine has done 140k and was using a little oil. (may have been from rocker gasket). I know it is possible to do the seals without the head comming off but this looks like a lot of hard work and  grinding the valves back in must be a good thing right?. It's an abf engine, are the gaskets any more prone to failing once removed.  I've seen the full gasket set for £70 inc the bolts which I thought was quite reasonable.

[Mr Blue]

Unless the rocker gasket was throwing lots of oil out then that would be one way it was losing oil. I would take the head off and change the lot while its out but thats just me.

Gearbox flange seals also. Quite easy to do with the box out

[oakgreengolf]

not planning on removing the gearbox to be honest that is a step too far. anything else worth doing? I use the car everyday so want to give it a good going over. was thinking new sensors too. I've already bought a new lambda.

[oakgreengolf]

Will the head have to be skimmed or is this only if it over heats.

[Diamond Hell]

Unless the rocker gasket was throwing lots of oil out then that would be one way it was losing oil. I would take the head off and change the lot while its out but thats just me.

If it's not leaking it, it's burning it.

Would suggest it could be valve stem seals, or piston rings.  Check for smoke when it's started from cold - this would be stem seals.  Do a compression test to see if everything's evens for piston rings.

Head would need to be checked to decide whether it needs skimming - needs to be straight and true and flat - metal rule on edge would decide this for you.

If/when you take it off, undo the bolts in sequence.

[oakgreengolf]

Readings where all good when I did a compression test recently. Are new guides recommended or is it a case of seeing how much play there is in the valves.

[Gambit]

what where you compression results? ideally you want in & around 200psi per cylinder

if you are having the head done then do the guides, no need to skim unless overheated as you say, though skim can help lift compression a wee hair also!

all depends how much you wanna do. if you are taking head off you can even change piston rings & big ends with the block & gearbox in place, just remove sump for access

[oakgreengolf]

Just done it again and I'm getting 230psi across all 4 does this sound high. I've got the inlet manifold off if that makes any difference.

[Gambit]

Is that dry compression test across all 4 cylinders? it is high but higher the better, if it is then its in great health!

At that psi i would not be touching the block and cylinder head leave it as is. You can replace inlet, exhust manifold, cam cover gaskets but dont be removing head

[oakgreengolf]

Yes that's dry tested.  I was going to replace oil seals whilst I was refurbishing manifolds, perhaps I should just change the rocker gasket and see what happens to the oil usage.