few questions on valve stem seals (VR6)

[mush]

hi all

so im pretty much sure my valve seals are gone which is the cause of blue smoke,

so test driving her it only happens off throttle and going down a slight hill after getting up to speed
and letting off i get to about 20mph and puff the magic dragon out the back, speed back up again and nothing.

all breathers are clear anything else to check on symptoms ?

questions are

1. if i do this job myself is it defo head removal?
2. if i take it to a shop what price im i looking at
3. ok to drive if i keep it toped up with oil
4. WHY HAS THIS HAPPENED AFTER IVE THROWN £800 AT IT RECENTLY 

[tweed]

Maybe try a thicker oil.

We use 10w60 in bmw's 

The vr6 gets up to similar temps. What oil is in it now?

[leigh_harty]

Do a compression test first

[VW BUSH]

If that's what it is Its quite an involving job to do properly, I would get a proper shop to refurb the valve guides etc if your not equipped.
False economy just doing the seals, at least do the valve assembly and guides.
I always buy a second hand head(s) and build it up off the car over a few months (quite expensive) and get a full set of gaskets, bolts, oil, Anti, chains, belts, lifters etc etc and do it all at once properly.
I tried cheap years ago when I was messing with big V engines, a disaster financially if you have to go back and take it apart for wanked tensioner of blocked gallery and I never got my weekends

Dont rush into a head build if you are not sure, would be a b!tch if the rings were goofed

[mush]

Maybe try a thicker oil.

We use 10w60 in bmw's 

The vr6 gets up to similar temps. What oil is in it now?

i think its 10w40 semi syn - vw stuff

ive done a pressure test and blowing out 170 on 5 pots / 180 on last one

[mush]

If that's what it is Its quite an involving job to do properly, I would get a proper shop to refurb the valve guides etc if your not equipped.
False economy just doing the seals, at least do the valve assembly and guides.
I always buy a second hand head(s) and build it up off the car over a few months (quite expensive) and get a full set of gaskets, bolts, oil, Anti, chains, belts, lifters etc etc and do it all at once properly.
I tried cheap years ago when I was messing with big V engines, a disaster financially if you have to go back and take it apart for wanked tensioner of blocked gallery and I never got my weekends

Dont rush into a head build if you are not sure, would be a b!tch if the rings were goofed

thanks bush after searching around and after your advice i was thinking of going down the exchange cylinder head thing <<< never done this before i take it you get all the internals minus gaskets?

do you reckon its alright to drive with shot valves? would it do the rings if i leave?

[tweed]

The only problem you will have is emissions will be high and could fail mot. I doubt it will. Doubt it will as for the last decade vag engines have been terrible for oil consumption.  And you will need to keep a eye on oil level.

I would go for a full syn 10w50. You engine is loose so wouldn't worry about the oil. Only tight engines need thin oil. Or even 15w 50

[VW BUSH]

If that's what it is Its quite an involving job to do properly, I would get a proper shop to refurb the valve guides etc if your not equipped.
False economy just doing the seals, at least do the valve assembly and guides.
I always buy a second hand head(s) and build it up off the car over a few months (quite expensive) and get a full set of gaskets, bolts, oil, Anti, chains, belts, lifters etc etc and do it all at once properly.
I tried cheap years ago when I was messing with big V engines, a disaster financially if you have to go back and take it apart for wanked tensioner of blocked gallery and I never got my weekends

Dont rush into a head build if you are not sure, would be a b!tch if the rings were goofed

thanks bush after searching around and after your advice i was thinking of going down the exchange cylinder head thing <<< never done this before i take it you get all the internals minus gaskets?

do you reckon its alright to drive with shot valves? would it do the rings if i leave?

it aint going to help as it will soot up the bores and rings, but I have driven a KR on half a litre of oil a week for 2 years
DIY Exchange will end up costing you £500 min I reckon? then bolts, gaskets, oil....
or Scrappy/Ebay gamble £100 + bits £150?, again DIY.....
Unless your laying smoke like a dreadnought or losing power I would forget about it

[Gti_Jamo]

Definately stem seals going by your symptons and yes a head off job to do properly. Common on VR6's. Valve guides will need measured and likely replaced as they where bad especially exhaust valve guides. Did you have an oiled up spark plug by any chance? Burning a little oil wont affect mot CO emmisions though. You may need to clean oxygen sensor every so often along with any affected plugs to keep it running good.

[Wayne]

If your going to do it then replace the valve guides at the same time or look for a s/h head and get it recon'd and then swap over.