Audi 80 Valve Stem Seals - Help!

Akrm · 07-22-2007, 03:57 PM

Hi Folks,
My girlfriend has an old 80 with 245,000

on the clock. It is a sweet runner apart from the clouds of blue smoke she pushes out as she drives. It just failed its MOT due to this (emissions) and the garage said that it looked like it may be the valve stem seals that need replacing. They would not give me a price for it

and basically suggested it would cost more than the car was worth.
Can anyone tell me if reasonably good home mechanic (me) can replace these seals with the usual assortment of taper nose pliers, bits of bent wire and lots of elastoplast ?

P.S. the car was given to her by her mum and so there is sentimental value attached here not to mention big time brownie points for me if I can work the magic !

Thanks,
Akrm.

a8 tech · 07-22-2007, 04:09 PM

Akrm you can replace the stem oil seals in situ if it the 8 valve engine.I cant remember the tool number for the repair but if you find a good vw indi workshop they may have it.Failing that its head off new gaskets and new head bolts,if you get a head set it will include all the gaskets and bolts and find a heynes manual and away you go.

millerman · 07-24-2007, 03:20 PM

Hi akrm and welcome to the site, our 80 sport se 2.0 8v 1993 has the same prob

A8 tech, i have the chance of a recon head from a 1990 3a engine, will this fit mine, is my '93 engine a 3b??? Cheers, Phil.

a8 tech · 07-24-2007, 04:14 PM

I think it might but not sure,any chance of some photos so i can seefor myself

millerman · 07-25-2007, 12:47 AM

Will try and get some pics later this afternoon, if and when it stops raining!

dougless · 09-06-2007, 11:48 AM

Hi

It is possible to do this on some engines with the heads still attached to the block, ie without removing the head providing you have a way of pressurising the cylinder whilst the valves are closed.

The two methods I know of are:

EITHER Remove spark plugs and rotate engine till it is at bdc on cylinder 1. Then use a compressor used for air tools and attach an air line to where spark plug was and pressurise the cylinder. Remove collets etc and replace seal. On to the next cylinder etc.

OR with cylinder at bdc, feed a clean piece of skipping rope into the spark plug hole, a fair amount needs to go in BUT make sure a bit is still sticking out! Turn engine over to tdc for that cylinder, or as far as it will go. The valves should be nicely trapped by the compressed rope and collets etc can be removed and the vale stem seal dealt with. Replace bits and pieces, turn engine back to bdc and remove rope. Repeat for other cylinders.

I have not seen this done on an Audi 80 but on an old 1300 polo and I see no reason why it should not work on other fairly simple 8 valve engines.

Good luck

millerman · 09-06-2007, 01:30 PM

I've heard of the compressed air route but the coiled rope is a new one on me and i'm an old git!!

How are the rubber stem seals actually removed by the way??

dougless · 09-07-2007, 08:26 AM

Do you mean removed or accessed?

millerman · 09-07-2007, 03:22 PM

I can access them ok by removing valve springs/collets and valves, i just need to know how to remove the rubber valve stem seals

07-22-2007, 03:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Akrm Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2 Gallery: (0)	Audi 80 Valve Stem Seals - Help! Hi Folks, My girlfriend has an old 80 with 245,000 on the clock. It is a sweet runner apart from the clouds of blue smoke she pushes out as she drives. It just failed its MOT due to this (emissions) and the garage said that it looked like it may be the valve stem seals that need replacing. They would not give me a price for it and basically suggested it would cost more than the car was worth. Can anyone tell me if reasonably good home mechanic (me) can replace these seals with the usual assortment of taper nose pliers, bits of bent wire and lots of elastoplast ? P.S. the car was given to her by her mum and so there is sentimental value attached here not to mention big time brownie points for me if I can work the magic ! Thanks, Akrm.

07-22-2007, 04:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
a8 tech Expert Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: not telling you Posts: 652 Gallery: (0)	Akrm you can replace the stem oil seals in situ if it the 8 valve engine.I cant remember the tool number for the repair but if you find a good vw indi workshop they may have it.Failing that its head off new gaskets and new head bolts,if you get a head set it will include all the gaskets and bolts and find a heynes manual and away you go. __________________ i use vag com 805

07-24-2007, 04:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
a8 tech Expert Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: not telling you Posts: 652 Gallery: (0)	I think it might but not sure,any chance of some photos so i can seefor myself __________________ i use vag com 805

09-06-2007, 11:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
dougless Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2 Gallery: (0)	Hi It is possible to do this on some engines with the heads still attached to the block, ie without removing the head providing you have a way of pressurising the cylinder whilst the valves are closed. The two methods I know of are: EITHER Remove spark plugs and rotate engine till it is at bdc on cylinder 1. Then use a compressor used for air tools and attach an air line to where spark plug was and pressurise the cylinder. Remove collets etc and replace seal. On to the next cylinder etc. OR with cylinder at bdc, feed a clean piece of skipping rope into the spark plug hole, a fair amount needs to go in BUT make sure a bit is still sticking out! Turn engine over to tdc for that cylinder, or as far as it will go. The valves should be nicely trapped by the compressed rope and collets etc can be removed and the vale stem seal dealt with. Replace bits and pieces, turn engine back to bdc and remove rope. Repeat for other cylinders. I have not seen this done on an Audi 80 but on an old 1300 polo and I see no reason why it should not work on other fairly simple 8 valve engines. Good luck Last edited by dougless : 09-07-2007 at 08:25 AM.

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07-24-2007, 03:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
millerman Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kent. UK Posts: 32 Gallery: (0)	Hi akrm and welcome to the site, our 80 sport se 2.0 8v 1993 has the same prob A8 tech, i have the chance of a recon head from a 1990 3a engine, will this fit mine, is my '93 engine a 3b??? Cheers, Phil.

07-25-2007, 12:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
millerman Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kent. UK Posts: 32 Gallery: (0)	Will try and get some pics later this afternoon, if and when it stops raining!

09-06-2007, 01:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
millerman Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kent. UK Posts: 32 Gallery: (0)	I've heard of the compressed air route but the coiled rope is a new one on me and i'm an old git!! How are the rubber stem seals actually removed by the way??

09-07-2007, 08:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
dougless Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2 Gallery: (0)	Do you mean removed or accessed?

09-07-2007, 03:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
millerman Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kent. UK Posts: 32 Gallery: (0)	I can access them ok by removing valve springs/collets and valves, i just need to know how to remove the rubber valve stem seals

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