Valve Seals Options

[mitsu90]

just picked up a set. and I have no clue how to change them. anyone want to lend a hand changing them for some beer and pizza?

[turbohcar]

Not sure if you know this or not but replacing the valve seals involves taking the head off and some machine work. This may be more than you, or someone else, is willing to try in one day. You might want to see if a local shop would be willing to do it in one day. That way you have a better chance of gettting it done since your car is a daily driver.

BTW, you may want to replace the head gasket as well when you do this. You're taking the head off anyway.

[Taxiwardance]

Lots of fun! It has been done without taking the head off but you would probably be better off removing the head anyway so you can inspect and replace anything. In order to do it with the head on you have 2 choices, you can stuff a rag into the cyl from the spark plug hole while at BDC then rotate the crank until that piston has reached TDC. Or another way I’ve heard of is compressing the cyl while it is at BDC and hope not to hit the top of the valve while its compressed and break the seal or its falling in as well. But either of these would require a "special" handcrafted valve removal tool that bolts to the cam caps and allows you to compress the springs. Not easy to come buy or make an affective model. The valve spring compressor used when the head is off is also a "special" tool so you may be better off taking the whole head into the machine shop and save yourself the hassle. Good Luck its a PITA

[natedogg]

Here's the vfaq for it. I believe akamiami has another method that involves taking the hood off, a 2x4, and another person. I'll let him fill in the details.

http://www.vfaq.com/mods/Valvespring-seals.html

[mitsu90]

I would like to be able to do this without taking the head off

I believe akamiami has another method that involves taking the hood off, a 2x4, and another person. I'll let him fill in the details.

I don't have a problem taking my hood off, I can get a 2x4, another person is not a problem either, so now all I need is the details

[akamiami]

well, it's probably not a method you want to use.... but I'll sketch it out....read this over thoroughly before attempting it.

1. run some nylon rope or vacuum tubing into a spark plug well and into each of the cylinders, and turn the engine until you can't take the rope or tube out. This is to keep the valves from falling in the cylinder.

2. get a deep dish 17mm socket and hollow it out so it looks like an oxygen sensor socket but with a wider 'window'. you'll need to be able to insert a set of needle nose pliers into here and manuever them with a decent degree of dexterity in order to get the keepers out and more importantly replace them properly.

3. Place the deep dish socket right on top of the spring retainer, leverage the 2x4 against a strut tower bar or the bulkhead, get the aforementioned bloke to lean on the 2x4 so that it released the tension on the retainer.

4. take a second and really consider if you trust this man to keep holding that spring down untill you're finished and your face is a safe distance from small compressed metal bits.

5. jump in and take out the retainer keepers with a set of pliers or magnet and have the grunt _gently_ ease his heft off of the board and then remove the retainer and spring

6. pry the valve seal off with a sturdier set of needle nose pliers, this part isn't as easy as it sounds either.

7. replace the valve seal by using a perfectly (and I do mean perfectly sized socket to push it back down straight flush). This part is not easy without the special mitsubishi tool which I do not know the part number of at the moment.

8. get the meatbag to prepare the 2x4 for another strenuous round of leaning, and reinsert the spring, retainer, special socket tool, and finally, (and I cannot stress this enough) carefully replace the keepers. This part is the most critical of all since it is not difficult to misplace the keepers or misalign the keepers. encourage the helper to slowly release pressure on the 2x4 and see if you've managed to get it right.

9. repeat steps 3-8 for the other 15 valves taking time to bandage cuts, exchange insults with the engine/assistant, fabricate new ways to hate inanimate objects, and be sure to insert at least one milk and cookie break, you'll need it.

10. When you think you're done, make absolutely sure to spin the engine several times (and it wouldn't hurt much to crank it a bit as well) just to make sure that the keepers are properly placed and not pretending to be seated and waiting for their opportunity to wreak havoc on your engine.

11. you did remember to take the nylon rope or vaccum line out of the engine before you cranked it over when you thought you were done, right?

Having said all this, I managed to replace the cams, springs, retainers, seals, etc without taking my head off. It wouldn't be a bad idea to take the lifters out and replace them with 3g lifters or just clean them up at the same time.

[mitsu90]

That was good K. Man... I laughed hard... Bloke, meathead...

me too .......... then I remember I am the one wanting to do this

[natedogg]

Hahaha! Deep dish sockets.

[mitsu90]

so anyone want to make a fast $20

[mitsu90]

dose anyone want to give this a shot?

if not what is a good local shop that would do this for cheap?

[scorp28]

man, Id personally just keep putting a quart in it every other week.

every other week?

try every other day

[mitsu90]

man, Id personally just keep putting a quart in it every other week.

every other week?

try every other day

thats not far from the truth either I put on one hell of a smoke show

[mitsu90]

ok if I have to pull the head might as well do it right and replace what needs it, so I know the seals are getting replaced,take the lifters out and replace them with 3g lifters or just clean them up, is there anything else that should be cleaned or replaced?

[turbohcar]

Just get a head gasket kit. It will contain all the necessary items. If you get a Fel-Pro kit I would reccomend using an OEM Mitsubishi Head gasket instead of the one Fel-Pro supplies.