Signs of wear on valve stem seals. Valve seals: how to replace, service life, why are they needed What are the effects of valve stem seals

Every driver passenger car with an internal combustion engine must be able to distinguish signs of wear on the valve stem seals, since otherwise the development and hardening of valve seals are fraught with a number of consequences. If you identify the problem in time, then you can buy a puller for drying out without any problems and replace the rubber-metal parts even without removing the head.

How valve seals work

The valve stem seals, as they are called in the common people, are installed directly on the valve stems, and are a combination of a rubber cage and a steel sleeve designed to increase the rigidity of the structure. When the valve opens, the cap shuts off the valve, preventing oil from flowing into the cylinder. Of course, a certain part of the lubricant still gets under the seal, but this is the norm - the unit is naturally lubricated. Over time, the elasticity of the part decreases, it shrinks, and an increase in the volume of leaking fluid is observed. As a result, the oil "goes away", forcing to top up to the norm more and more often.

Signs of wear on valve stem seals: how much oil does the engine take 1.8

The first and main symptom of hardened, worn out valve seals is engine oil overrun. True, for some engines, the regulations allow noticeable deviations from the generally accepted norm of 200-300 ml per 1000 km of run. So, turbocharged engines 1.8, installed on the model of the Volkswagen AG (Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat), legally require topping up grease up to 500-700 ml for every thousand kilometers. A similar situation is developing around the PSA Peugeot Citroën engines developed in conjunction with BMW (also installed on Mini models) - passport data speaks of a "norm" of 1000 ml of engine oil, which must be added to the engine every 1000 km.

Things like this highlight the importance of knowing "your" oil consumption. If power unit between service operations consumes significantly more than the recommended values, then this is a serious reason to think about replacing the valve stem seals.

The second sign of oil leaving the cylinders due to the loss of their condition by the caps is bluish-gray smoke from the exhaust pipe, which can be clearly seen in the first minutes of engine operation and further when shifting gears, while pressing the accelerator pedal. Oil deposits on the threads of the spark plug are also eloquent evidence of the above problem. When the pressure rises in the combustion chamber, the oil-saturated mixture is partially squeezed out through the microscopic gaps. For example, through the candle thread, where the gap is no more than 0.3 mm. Under the influence of high temperature, gasoline evaporates from the mixture, leaving behind a fair amount of lubricant. Indirectly indicates the end of the caps and dark carbon deposits on the electrodes.

Exactly the same soot appears on the cylinder walls. And if you ignore the problem, then one day, due to plaque, the valve will simply burn.

Video tips for checking the presence of an oil scraper

How to understand that you need to replace the caps, and not the engine piston system

It is very easy to confuse the signs of dry valve seals and the development of a cylinder-piston group. In both cases, the problem is brewing after 200,000 km, often occurs on used cars that were bought without proper diagnostics. Moreover, oil consumption and blue smoke are characteristic of both diseases. However, the hardened valve stem seals do not affect the compression ratio, which usually drops with wear of the piston rings, the walls of the pistons themselves and the cylinders. If the car consumes too much oil (from 1 liter per 1000 km), but the compression in the cylinders is normal, then 90 out of 100 are the caps.

An additional check is carried out on a running engine with an unscrewed oil filler cap: a motor requiring CPG repair should have smoke from the neck, while used caps do not cause this.

The price of a puller "rusks" Toyota, Volkswagen, Audi and the principle of its operation

An integral attribute of replacing valve stem seals on any engine, be it a Lexus or a VAZ, is the so-called desiccant. This is a proprietary or universal (suitable for motors of various brands) tool for clamping valve springs, without which it is not possible to carry out repairs. The principle of operation of the biscuit remover is quite simple: the desiccant is attached to the engine casing with support points, with the help of mechanical pressure on the plate, the valve return spring is clamped, which makes it possible to dismantle the crackers.

It should also be noted that universal pullers are often not so multi-tasking - some designs are suitable for motors with ONV, ONC, HV configuration, others are designed specifically for servicing Opel SOHC engines, etc. You should check this moment before buying a tool.

Dryer price:

• for overhead valve engines - from 3500 rubles;
• for OHV, OHC, CHV engines - from 2000 rubles;
• a comprehensive set of tools for drying out on engines Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Golf, Mitsubishi Lancer, etc. - 20,000 rubles.

Dryer, as in the photo, is an integral attribute of replacing valve stem seals on any engine

Change without removing the head: the cost of the repair kit Ford, Mazda, Nissan

In the official service, specialists usually insist on the option of replacing the caps, which involves removing the cylinder head. So it is much easier to dismantle / install oil seals, and everything spent on fiddling with Cylinder head time is paid by the client. Thus, a decent amount of money is accumulating. But if you do not get to the removal of the "head", then it will take less nerves, time, do not have to spend on laying Cylinder head and new bolts. When you access the decanter (it is not necessary to buy - you can, for example, temporarily borrow from a friend), the matter remains small. You must purchase a set of branded or non-original valve stem seals.

The cost of the original repair kit (valve seals):

• Toyota Camry 2.4 - 1300 rubles;
• Ford Focus 1.8 - 1500 rubles;
• Volkswagen Golf 1.6 - 1800 rubles;
• Nissan Qashqai 2.0 - 1500 rubles;
• BMW X3 2.5i - 2200 rubles;
• Mazda 6 1.8 - 1600 rubles.

Replacing MSCs with Mitsubishi Lancer IX 1.6

Consider in stages the process of replacing valve seals on a ninth generation Mitsubishi Lancer 1.6 without removing the cylinder head.

• The ignition coils are dismantled, after which the candles are unscrewed.
• After unscrewing the six bolts, the valve cover is removed
  The hoses are disconnected.
• To prevent the hydraulic lifters from falling out, they can be secured with wire or plastic clamps.
• It is necessary to unscrew the 13 bolts of the rocker arm axles. The axles can be removed assembled without turning over (to avoid oil leakage from the expansion joints).
• To prevent the crackers from falling into the pan, the engine openings are clogged with foam rubber and clean rags.
• With the help of marks on the pulley and the head, TDC is set in the first and fourth cylinders.

• The biscuit remover is attached in one part to the valve head body, with the other it rests on the plate, which allows you to release the biscuits and take them out with tweezers.
• After removing the plate with the spring, access to the cap appears.
• Dismantling the cap itself, ideally, should be done using a special removable device. But in the absence of such, you can get used to working with pliers. However, in the absence of delicacy, it is easy to damage the valve guide.
• Before swapping the old and new caps, it does not hurt to check the valve itself for backlash.
• The oil-lubricated new cap is pressed on using a suitable mandrel - a 10 mm nut head can be used.
• The spring and plate are returned to their place, with the help of tweezers and a puller, the crackers are put back.
• Replacing the MSC in the remaining two cylinders is done after turning the pulley according to the marks and setting the TDC.
• It is highly advisable to tighten the rocker arm axle bolts with a torque wrench in compliance with the values ​​recommended by the automaker (50 Nm).

Features of replacing caps on a 16-valve VAZ Priora

To gain access to the caps on the Priora, you will first have to unscrew the candles from the wells, dismantle the ignition coils, and also remove the throttle assembly. After that, it will be possible to unscrew the valve cover bolts in order to remove the rocker arms and actually replace the MSC using a puller. In general, the layout is the same as in the case of Lancer: TDC in the cylinders are set, crackers and springs are removed, new oil seals are installed, and reassembly is underway. As a rule, the whole complex of work takes from the contractor from 8 to 12 hours.

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Engine internal combustion works as a single complex mechanism. The effective interaction of the gas distribution and crank mechanisms and with the engine lubrication system is largely ensured by the valve stem seals. The driver must not only be familiar with the functions of the parts, but also correctly diagnose wear and the need to replace oil seals.

What are the valve stem seals for?

The movement of the piston in the cylinder is facilitated by splashing oil under the skirt. But a thin film of grease is removed by oil scraper rings that are worn on the piston. On the other hand, the contact surfaces are lubricated in the gas distribution mechanism.

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A kind of oil suspension is created under the block head cover. On the border of the cylinder and the cavity above it, the valve stem seals are located. Their task is to prevent oil mist and oil from the valve stem into the combustion chamber of the cylinder.

Given the constant contact with the valves of the gas distribution mechanism, it is easy to guess that the caps are under constant stress. Each valve moves hundreds of times per minute, while the oil is heated to high temperatures.

How many and where are they on the engine

Based on the purpose and work performed, it is easy to determine where the valve stem seals are located. If we consider the engine assembly, then the cap is put on the valve stem. Structurally, the part is a plastic part in the form of a sleeve made of a special stable material and a metal base.

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The location of the valve stem seals in the engine during disassembly is defined as the cylinder head, at the point where the valves enter the working chamber.

If the engine has 8 valves and 16 valves

You don't have to puzzle over how many valve stem seals there are in a 16 valve engine. The number of these critical parts is exactly equal to the number of valves. Those. if in an engine with 4 cylinders it is indicated that there are 2 valves per cylinder, then there will be 8 caps. In more modern engines, where there are 4 valves per cylinder, the number of oil seals will be 16. Provided that the engine is 4-cylinder.

Causes of wear

Along with constant mechanical stress, the cap experiences the aggressive action of heated oil and impurities in it. Do not forget about the hot exhaust fumes at the onset of the exhaust stroke.

Over time, natural rubber coarsens, the walls of the bushing crack and wear out. Despite the fact that the regulations Maintenance did not determine the exact interval for replacing the caps, when the corresponding symptoms appear, it is not worth delaying the replacement with new parts.

How to determine the need for replacement

Among the main criteria that directly indicate the need to replace the valve stem seals are:

Oiled spark plug electrodes. Oil has the ability to seep into the combustion chamber.

Increased oil consumption. Compared to the traditional "appetite" of 1 liter / 10,000 km, the same consumption increases to a liter for every thousand.

The appearance of gray smoke in the exhaust. Some of the oil has time to burn during the compression stroke.

Sometimes a dilemma arises as to what is the cause of the bluish smoke from the exhaust pipe. By mistake, this reason is often called the wear of parts of the cylinder-piston group. To finally decide whether an engine overhaul or replacement of the valve stem seals is needed, it is enough to check the compression. The normal value of this indicator allows you to confidently indicate the caps.

By the way, for a short time the problem of increased oil consumption will be eliminated by the use of special means. A special additive softening the valve stem seals will restore the functionality of the parts for a couple of thousand kilometers. The additive works after 500-700 km of run after adding. Do not delay the repair, most likely similar symptoms of engine wear will reappear soon.

How to find everything you need for work

When contacting a service center, it will not be difficult to change the valve stem seals. However, this approach will mean for the car owner the option of performing work with the removal of the block head, which implies the replacement of the gasket and mounting bolts. And the time is spent here. This option means a significant overpayment.

The simplest option is to do the work yourself. To do this, it is worth preparing a tool for replacing the valve stem seals and buying a set of consumable items for one engine.

What caps are suitable: sizes and price

When determining which valve stem seals are best for a particular motor, you should pay attention to the original kit. You will receive a quality product, and the price does not seem significant.

For example, a set of original spare parts for popular models costs from 1.3 thousand rubles. (Toyota Camry 2.4 L) up to 2.2 thousand rubles. (BMW X3 2.5 l). When comparing with available analogues, changing the valve stem seals is cheaper by 800 to 1200 rubles, respectively.

When choosing analogs, do not be lazy to check the correspondence of parts by VIN number, or ask the store manager for advice.

We select a puller

To successfully replace the valve stem seals without removing the head, you will need to buy a special tool. As a last resort, it will turn out to borrow such a set from a neighbor in the garage.

To get the job done, you need a tool, better known as a desiccant. When choosing, you should pay attention to the equipment with an indication of its suitability for use with a specific engine. The use of universal devices is also allowed. However, some "station wagons" are still designed for a certain type of engine - with the HV or SOHS layout.

The tool is designed to clamp valve springs using mechanical pressure. After removing the crackers, access to the valve stem seals is opened.

DIY removal and installation procedure

At the initial stage of the work, the car is de-energized, the ignition coil is turned off and the candles are unscrewed. The piston of the first cylinder is set at top dead center. Further, in order to change the valve stem seals, perform the following operations:

The valve cover and all hoses are removed. The rocker arm bolts are unscrewed.

We remove the rocker arms. At the same time, make sure that the crackers do not fly apart when removing from the axle. Do not remove the rocker arms from the axle or turn them over so that oil does not leak from the hydraulic compensator.

Install the puller and compress the spring. As a result, two crackers are released that need to be removed (it is convenient to use tweezers).

We remove the valve plate, we get access to the spring and the valve washer.

We press out the installed part. It is possible to use either an impact collet or pliers to tighten the cap axially.

Before installing a new cap, check the backlash of the valve itself in the guide. If the indicator does not exceed 0.15-0.20 mm, install the valve back.

A new cap is placed on the lubricated valve shaft using a mandrel. The spring and valve plate, crackers are returned in reverse order.

Use a torque wrench when tightening the rocker arm bolts. The tightening torque is often set at 50 Nm.

If it is necessary to change the valve stem seals in cylinders 2 and 3, the pistons must also be moved to the extreme position.

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September 24, 2017

In the design of any engine, both a domestic car and a foreign car, there are valve stem seals (valve seals). They are always used when the machine is running, and therefore wear out very quickly. Increasing their service life is a headache for engineers working at automobile factories, but the timely diagnosis of signs of wear on valve stem seals, as well as their replacement, is already the task of motorists. You can cope with it successfully only in one case when these very signs are known to you, and if not, then this article will help you.

HOW VALVE SEALS WORK AND WHEN THEY COUNT Worn out

As you know, the valve in the engine is located in two different cavities. One of them implies the presence of engine oil in it, the other, on the contrary, must be isolated from it. In this case, the valve is in constant motion during its operation.

WHAT YOU NEED THE VALVE SEALS FOR

They are made of special elastic rubber, but this rubber tends to age, harden, dry out and collapse over time, as a result, the caps cease to cope with the task set before them and begin to need replacement. The car owner can determine this moment by special characteristics.

Worn valve stem seals

MAIN SIGNS OF VALVE SEAL WEAR

1. Increased oil consumption - if motor oil is consumed in your car more than it should be, which means that somewhere it is used in vain, as an option, it gets into the combustion chamber due to worn out valve seals.
2. Spark plug oil deposits are caused by oil entering the cylinders.
3. when the car warms up, the engine heats up - the smoke disappears. This phenomenon is a clear sign of a cracked cap, which, heating to a certain temperature, becomes wider and begins to successfully cope with the functions assigned to it again.

However, be extremely careful, these signs may indicate not only worn valve stem seals, but also other problems with the engine! Therefore, at the time of diagnosis, do not forget to pay attention to:

• mileage - as a rule, oil seals need to be replaced every 70-80 thousand km. mileage;
• compression - if it is reduced, but you did not find any leaks or problems with valves and / or rings on the pistons, then the problem is definitely in the caps. They should be replaced.

EFFECTS OF RIDING WITH WEARED OIL SEALS

If you missed the moment of failure of the valve seals, then, most likely, it will lead to the following consequences:

• increased oil consumption, which, firstly, will not have the best effect on your budget, and secondly, will provoke periodic oil starvation, leading to increased wear of parts and the need for premature engine overhaul;
• oily and ultimately spark plug failure;
• burnout of valves - carbon deposits will form wherever there is oil, including on the walls of the cylinders, which over time will interfere with the closing of the valves and lead to their burnout.

To prevent all this from happening, carry out a timely replacement as soon as you notice the first signs of wear on the valve stem seals.

OIL SEAL REPLACEMENT TIPS

We will not consider the procedure for replacing the valve stem seals itself, this is a topic for a separate article, but we will finally name the main recommendations that will save you from mistakes. There are only 3 of them:

1. to dry the valves, always use a special tool - a desiccant, so you will have less chance of breaking or losing something;
2. when changing the caps, cover all openings on the engine with a rag or foam rubber, they will protect open cavities from dirt and you from losing crackers;
3. Be sure to lubricate the new cap with oil before installing.

And remember, if you do not have enough experience and knowledge in the matter of replacing valve seals, noticing signs of wear, do not experiment, but hand your car into the hands of professionals, they will quickly replace the failed parts with new ones and take a little in this case. Depending on the car and service station, the costs will be from 7 to 20 thousand rubles.

Valve seals or valve seals prevent oil from entering the combustion chamber through the valves. How many of them are in the engine can be determined by the number of valves: 12 valves = 12 caps.

The valve stem seals are located directly on the valves. This rubber product is a consumable item and must be replaced periodically.

MSC location on 7a-fe

When to change

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Like any consumable, the caps need to be replaced regularly. Masters advise changing MSCs every 50-70 thousand kilometers. This will avoid serious motor problems.

How to check the status? To the touch. If the oil seal is solid, it's time to change.

Obvious signs of MSC wear:

• increased oil consumption;
• gray smoke from the exhaust pipe after starting the engine. Signals about the ingress of oil in the cylinder and its combustion;
• the appearance of oil on the threads of the candles.

The first symptoms of wear indicate the urgent need to replace MSCs.

Replacement

You can change the valve stem seals yourself or at a service. If you have experience in repair Toyota cars and the required tool, you can replace it yourself.

In order to remove the MSC you will need a special tool called "Valve desiccant" and a cap remover.

Which caps to choose is up to you. Valve seals can now be purchased online at bargain prices. But it is better to purchase high-quality consumables so that you do not have to change them ahead of time. The main parameter for MSC is their compliance with your Toyota model. The price starts at 60 rubles apiece, depending on the engine model.

Installing valve stem seals with your own hands is not a complicated procedure, but it requires care and experience. During the drying of the valves, there is a danger of losing the cracker. After that, it will be impossible to assemble the motor back. Attention should also be paid to protecting the engine from dirt ingress during replacement. If you are not confident in your abilities, do not take it.

Example: replacing valve stem seals with 1zz-fe

How much does it cost to replace the valve stem seals on your own and in the service, let's look at an example. Self-replacement will require tools and consumables.

A universal dryers - 850 rubles.

Oil scraper caps - 120 rubles * 16 pieces.

Stripper - 200 rubles.

Repair will take a simple car enthusiast at least half a day. Total: 2970 rubles... How to replace the valve stem seals is described in detail in each vehicle manual. Toyota owners willingly share photos of their experiences in replacing MSCs.

The cost of replacement at the service is from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles. Plus the caps themselves are about 2,000 rubles. In total, a maximum of 5,000 rubles and 40 minutes of waiting.

Obviously, replacement on the service is more expensive, but also takes less time. In addition, a mechanic-minder will cope with this task better than a simple car owner.

Additives for MSC

To avoid replacing consumables or delaying it, you can use special additives. An additive for valve stem seals is designed to soften them, that is, to increase the service life of already worn out MSCs. There are sealing additives that fill the gaps created by time through which the oil passes.

Automotive chemicals of this kind are very popular due to their low cost compared to replacing MSCs. In addition, the additives act on all rubber products, extending their service life.

How to check if the additive works? If you have already used a specialized auto chemistry, keep an eye on the oil consumption. If it falls, the additive is effective. The best manufacturer of automotive additives is considered an American brand. Wagner.

Replacing MSCs is much more effective than using additives. In the end, the oil seals will still have to be changed. In order not to harm the engine, contact a specialist.

Of course, lubrication is essential for the normal operation of the engine and its components. Interestingly, the ingress of oil into the combustion chamber itself can lead to a major overhaul of the entire internal combustion engine. But its presence on the walls just contributes to the well-coordinated and smooth operation of the entire car. Therefore, when the valves move, special protective elements are removed from the stem - valve stem seals. We will talk about them today.

What are they needed for?

The main function of this part is to close the valve, which eliminates the possibility of oil penetration inside. The valve stem seals always fit snugly against the valve surface, but still a few milliliters of grease penetrates through them. This is normal as the part should not run dry. But an excessive amount of oil already negatively affects the operation of the valve.

What are the valve stem seals made of?

By its design, this part is a rigid steel base. That is, the main component of the valve stem seals is rubber, since the serviceability and service life of the entire mechanism depends on the degree of wear. A steel base can last forever, so it doesn't matter as much as its second component. As for the rubber itself, it also has its own nuances. If the cap was made from acrylate or recycled rubber, rest assured that such a part will last a very long time. If the rubber contains other components, they can be quite short. Therefore, it is better not to purchase such parts.

By the way, few people know, but today's valve stem seals differ significantly from their "ancestors". The first mechanisms included only rubber. Due to the lack of a base, these parts very quickly lost their elasticity and strength.

When is the valve stem seals replaced?

VAZ 2109, like all others domestic cars, has similar symptoms when this part is leaking. The main sign of the loss of rubber properties will be increased You can also observe blue or bluish smoke from the exhaust pipe (but this may also indicate about However, if you do not observe such symptoms, do not think that the condition of the caps is perfect. As a rule, manufacturers recommend changing this part every 20 thousand kilometers. Therefore, even if you do not have, when you reach this mileage, be sure to replace this mechanism. This work is not so difficult to contact a service center for help. Everything can be done with your own hands. In addition, the cost at the service station is 5 thousand rubles.

Finally, a little advice. If you do the replacement yourself, be sure to, in addition to new caps, purchase a valve cracker puller. It can be found in absolutely any car dealership.