16v valve stem oil seals - tools

[wilson]

right im soon going to attempt to replace valve seals on my 16v kr using the string in bores method... I've seen the 8v guide on here a while back.

can anybody whos done it before tell me any specific tools im going to need...  not done it on golf before,  only ever done it a few times on fords cvh engine

Thanks
Wilson 
 
 

[rowlers]

personally I wouldn't bother faffing about with the rope method. whip the head, it is so much easier - been there done it!

[Mr Blue]

I used used abit of plastic plumbing sort of tube to push them in. Abit awkward to remove as they were rock solid..pliars jobby

[danny_p]

whip the head off,    it's not like the plug holes are easy to get to on the 16v anyway and ripping the head aprt is so much easyer on bench

[Conker]

I TRIED to do mine with the head off, but failed spectacularly as I couldn't get enough force on the valve springs to expose the stem seals. I didn't have a decent work bench/area though, and only a poxy little valve compressor.

If I did it again, I would take the head off, and send it to a decent engineers workshop and let them worry about it, plus you prob might need the valve guides doing anyway and you can't do that at home. Some people have put new seals in, for them to only last a few weeks due to excessive movement in the guides. Plus you could have the head skimmed, which is also advisable.

You could always buy a second KR head of ebay (very cheap) and have it reconditioned, then swap the heads over. That way you're cars not off the road for long.

I honestly don't think the engineers would charge that much.



EDIT:  If you do try yourself, get the biggest badass valve spring compressor you can find and test it fits beforehand. Plus sort out a good work bench with vices/clamps etc.

[Leon R]

This big spring compressor works:



I didn't want to get the head off so used compressed air through the spark plug hole, keeps the valves up. Used a 1/4 socket to push the seals on and apart from a back ache, it went ok.

I recommend changing the Cam Seal (exhaust) where the cam pulley is.

Also GSF stock 2 types of stem seal, one's green and one's browny red. The green ones weren't right for my car.

[danny_p]

there is a much easyer way of getting the collets out     socket hammer and THUMP

the compressed air trick works really nicely

[wilson]

Thanks for advise, I'll have a go with the head on car.   failing that maybe overhaul the head completely.

I was mainly wondering if there was a spring compressor designed for the KR,  like there was on the CVH.   I'll have a look for a decent universal one... 

Thanks
Wilson