Valve stem seal replacement

Grand_ZJ · Jun 22, 2011

So I get smoke coming out of my tail pipe on start up so I was told on here it was my valve seals because it only happens on start up and once the initial smoke comes out it doesn't happen anymore until I let the jeep sit for awhile (4+ hours).

When I started the jeep about 30 minutes ago (sitting 24 hours) a HUGE plume of smoke came out of the tail pipe but stopped and never smoked while driving. My cat and muffler are off the jeep so its just a straight pipe now.

So I bought a new valve stem seal set (16 seals 5.2L).

What is the best way to change these out? I heard taking off the valve covers and compressing the valve springs but I need a compressor... which I don't have.

So is the only other way to changing these out by taking off the heads themselves??

I've never taken off the heads before so I dont know how time consuming that is or how hard it would be to do.

Any advice on this guys?

Grand_ZJ · Jun 22, 2011

The smoke that came out was pretty damn big! Like a Chevy cavalier size plume of smoke. Ive also never noticed if it was blue in color its always just been white in color. And the amount has never been this big, its always just been a 10 yeal old boys size plume of smoke.

Now I've heard of putting in rope into the cylinder to push/keep the valves up but don't know how much and when to add the rope in the cylinder.

ratmonkey · Jun 22, 2011

more likely to be plenum gasket on the 5.2.

and yes, you will need to remove the heads to do the seals correctly.
and you'll need a valve spring compressor no matter what.

since you've never done it, schedule 2-3 days and hope the heads don't need machine work.

rjsp · Jun 22, 2011

I don't know the configuration of the jeep motor. But would think it should be fairly basic, not unlike most gas or diesel engines. What I have seen over the years was.... remove the spark plug, screw in a adaptor that has a air hose connection at the other end. hook up the air hose, about 125 pounds should keep the valves tight in the head, while you use a special spring compressor to remove the springs, and replace the seals. If you get lucky and none of the valves fall down? you may save some time and money. But it may also be a waste of time, as your valve guides are most likely worn, and may need replacing. In that case, a couple of rebuild heads may be the answer......

Grand_ZJ · Jun 22, 2011

ratmonkey said:
more likely to be plenum gasket on the 5.2.

and yes, you will need to remove the heads to do the seals correctly.
and you'll need a valve spring compressor no matter what.

since you've never done it, schedule 2-3 days and hope the heads don't need machine work.

Plenum gasket?

Yeah what I meant by a "compressor" was an air compressor not a spring compressor. So I know ill need one of those.

Hopefully the heads don't need to be redone I just had both redone back in February.

TallyZJ · Jun 22, 2011

Grand_ZJ said:
Plenum gasket?

Yeah what I meant by a "compressor" was an air compressor not a spring compressor. So I know ill need one of those.

Hopefully the heads don't need to be redone I just had both redone back in February.

If you had them done in February you got screwed. Valve stem seals would have been a given replacement on any head repair. While the heads were off they should have also replaced the plenum gasket.

Grand_ZJ · Jun 23, 2011

Oops didn't mean the heads were done backbone February, That's just when I noticed the smoke. I had the heads done back in late November.

Yeah I think I did get taken but I'm just gonna get a used/reman/rebuilt engine from LKQ here in Vegas they have a warranty on their stuff.

Man this sucks so I'm not gonna do anything big to the engine anymore andbjust make it survive for atleast a year.

ratmonkey · Jun 23, 2011

Plenum gasket is only the single most common seal failure on a magnum motor. Search and ye shall receive.

Valve stem seal replacement

Grand_ZJ

Grand_ZJ

ratmonkey

rjsp

Grand_ZJ

TallyZJ

Grand_ZJ

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