Possible Valve Stem Seals Issue

[jshergil]

Hi guys,

I have a 2001 Ford Windstar (LX Edition) and I am pretty certain that there is something wrong with the valve stem seals at this point. There is smoke (can't figure out what color) coming out of the car at start up and acceleration. At first it might be something with the head gasket, but my coolant level has not shifted since I replaced the lower intake manifold gasket last year and my oil is definitely decreasing (being burnt off somehow). There have been no oil leaks under the car (I've checked numerous times) and the coolant is still a pretty greenish.

Here is a video of my Windstar at start up and being revved up. Likewise here are some photos of the valve head off, and the right rocker off. The other photo is the spark plug for those two valves.

Please let me know if you think think this is valve stem seal related or something else. I don't really want to fix this just to find out it's a larger problem . Also, I don't mind making a video to share with other Windstar owners because Ford sux.

[wiswind]

Well, I have done the lower intake manifold gasket job and the valve cover gaskets.
However, I have not replaced the valve guide seals.
Reading Alldata, it looks like the big thing you need to do is to avoid dropping the whole valve down into the cylinder.
So I STRONGLY advise that you use a good shop manual.
You will need a spring compressor for the valve springs.
If guessing, I would go for the valve guide seals as they are much easier to replace than piston rings....and also much cheaper.

For the 3.8L engine.
Rock Auto has the full set of Felpro brand of valve stem seals for $36.79 (plus shipping).
Just to give a gauge on cost.

[tomj76]

From what I know (which may not be very much!!) worn stem seals don't show many symptoms that can be definately linked to the seals outside of oil burning issues. Sometimes a manifold vacuum test will give indications of worn seals. The Ford service manual explains how to check for worn valve GUIDEs, but not so much for the seals themselves.

I replaced some of the valve stem seals on my '96 Windstar.

Changing the seals on the front cylinders of the V6 (4-6) is fairly easy, but getting at the rear cylinders, even with the upper manifold removed is more difficult. Keeping the valve out of the cylider is easy, you just need to support it while the keepers are removed. One method is to apply air pressure to the cylinder through spark plug hole. I used a compression gauge hose attached to my air compressor to do this. The weakness of this approach is that you have to avoid pressing the valve down or you will release the air pressure. Another approach is to insert a rope into the cylinder then move the piston to TDC to press the valve up against the head. The only disadvantage of this is that you have to remove the spark pulg, insert this rope and move the crank for each valve.

I've read that new valve stem seals are easily damaged during installation. I don't have any tips on how to avoid the damage.