How to Replace Valve Seals

[cscott784]

Hey all. I just purchased a 1995 Ford Escort for my wife to drive around town. SHe loves the little car (plus I love it because it is great on gas). The only problem she has with it is that it smokes on the initial startup for about 10 seconds. WHile she is driving, however, it does not smoke. We took the car to the mechanic and he says that it is the valve seals; that they need to be replaced.

I have a tutorial of how to replace the seals on another car (toyota supra) but I would like some information on how to get down there to replace them. I know the tools I need, but do I remove the head gasket and then the head to get down there? I'm pretty good with working on my own car and I would like this challenge. If anyone can help, this will be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

[mightymoose_22]

The head does not have to be removed... but take care not to drop a valve into the cylinder... otherwise you are screwed :P
All you have to remove is the valve cover and spark plugs.

Follow the firing order: 1-3-4-2
Turn each cylinder ALMOST to TDC on compression... this leaves a small space in the combustion chamber. Stuff a long length of cord/rope through the spark plug hole to fill that space and hold the valve in place... be sure you leave some so you can pull it back out Turn the crank a little bit to make a snug fit... but not too tight.

Remove all the rocker arms... then the retainer and spring for the cylinder you are working on. Fairly self explanatory from there... each one is the same... replace the seal, put the spring and retainers back in... pull out the cord... crank it to the next cylinder.... stuff the cord in the chamber.... etc etc...

[cscott784]

nice explaination mightymoose. One question though: when I use the rope, does that mean I wont need the spring compressor?

Thanks,
Scott

[mightymoose_22]

You need the compressor. THe rope is just used to keep the valves in place when the retainers are removed. You can also use air compression instead of the rope... but I am assuming you don't have that kind of stuff laying around.

[cscott784]

Souds good Moose. I will do it this friday. I will take pics as I go along. Thanks a lot for your help.

Scott