Can you replace valve guides?

If you need to replace your valve guides we recommend taking your cylinder head to a machine shop that specializes in motorcycle cylinder head work. You will need to resurface the valve seats when you replace the guides. If a valve guide arbor is unavailable, an alternate method is available using a tap.

Can you replace valve guides without removing head?

The worn seals cause oil to leak between the valve stem and guide, causing blue-gray smoke to come out of the tail pipe every time you start the engine. On most vehicles, it’s possible to replace these valve seals without removing the head.

How much does it cost to replace valve guide seals?

The cost of a valve seal replacement will vary depending on the make of the model of your car. The typical range you can expect rests somewhere between $900 and $2000. While the part itself usually costs less than $100, paying for a mechanic’s labor constitutes the majority of the cost.

What happens when valve guides are worn?

Worn guides can also contribute to valve breakage. The guides support and center the valves as they open and close. A worn guide will allow the valve to, wobble slightly as it opens. This will cause it to drift off-center with respect to the seat.

How do I know if my valve guides are worn?

Observe your car when you accelerate and brake. If you see a billow of smoke from the exhaust pipe — especially any blue smoke, which is caused by burning oil — it is a sign that the valve guides are worn.

Are valve stem seals hard to replace?

So removing valve stem seals is a pretty simple procedure, but getting to them is a bit tough because the valve seals are tucked right away inside the valve spring. You are going to use this to pressurize the cylinder to hold the valves in position.

How hard is it to replace valve seals?

Valve seal replacement is not difficult, but it is a fairly time-consuming process. The process can take about three hours if you need to replace the sixteen valve seals. It also depends on the method used in the replacement process.

How long do valve seals last?

How long do valve seals last? 150,000 miles under normal conditions. However, valve seals may turn bad due to infrequent oil and filter changes, along with improper installation.

How do you remove a valvalve Collet?

Valve collets can be fiddly to remove and replace, but Ed’s got the answer: a magnet on a screwdriver helps greatly. For more helpful tips, check out our course How To Remove, Revive And Decoke Your Engine Cylinder Head.

Why are collets so often forgotten in valvetrain development?

The ‘forgotten’ components in valvetrain development though are the collets – also widely known as ‘valve locks’ or ‘valve keepers’ – although they too have a very important role to play. The reason they are forgotten is possibly because they are so small and there is little scope for development.

What is the purpose of Collets on a piston?

They act as a pair and have a tapered outside surface to allow them to lock into the retainer or piston securely due to friction. On the inside, there is a ‘ridge’ which is used to position the collet axially on the valve; the valve has a corresponding groove into which the collet ridge can locate.

What is a collet ridge on a valve?

On the inside, there is a ‘ridge’ which is used to position the collet axially on the valve; the valve has a corresponding groove into which the collet ridge can locate. The design of the internal ridge dictates the groove geometry on the valve; as this groove is a point of stress concentration, we would like this concentration to be minimal.