Valve Stem Seals

[Hossboro]

My 1997 Tiger is going in for a complete overhaul on Monday and me not having the time or technical experience, have to take it to the local bike Garage, MOT due too anyway..

But my question is about the Vavle Stems seals, I have asked if he could replace them while its in bits, but he rang me today to say that he would not be able to do them as it requires a special tool that he does not own,  is this correct and if so are there any ways round this that I might be able to suggest?

Thnx in advance for the help...

[Jaythro]

why do they need replaced? Is she burning loads of oil??

[Hossboro]

Not burning loadfs of oil, but burns off oil on start up every morning or after stood for a little while...   so I prosume its the stem seals...

[Timbox2]

Dunno about special tools, but its a pretty big job Im guessing, head off then of course your looking at re sealing the liners, maybe thats the issue.

[Sin_Tiger]

I would think you could do that with the head still on.Got mine done while getting the valves done, notaware of any issues with special tools, didn't do it myself so I can't go into detail, will ask my mechanic during the week.

[Jaythro]

I would say that you have to strip the head off for that one

Is your oil level correct?

Air filter Changed / Clean?  

I'd also try a compression test of cold versus hot (well hot ish by the time you get the tank off etc and get a comp tester in there and then compare if there is a huge diff

[dave NL]

No need to take the head off, some people use compressed air to keep the valves in place.

I use the `indian rope technique` :D  take a clean piece of vacuum hose and lead it in to the spark plug holes, enough to make sure it will touch the valves. then turn the crank shaft so its jamming the hose into the valves, and presto, you can remove the valve springs.

[Jaythro]

Did that on Mk III escort CVH when they gave bother Many Many moons ago

[Hossboro]

Hmmm seems like lots of different but interesting advice there, will have to have a word with the mechanic on that one i think, thnx for all the advice...

[BruKen]

No special tool needed. Just press in. But head should come off and valves removed. Reason is the valve top including collet slots will have burrs and thickening. This needs to be slightly sanded down. Also valve stem thickness must me measured. You may be leaking because the valve is worn rather than seal. Valves should then be lapped too. In short the job is a painstaking laborious one. Tbh, I'd do it myself. It's easy enough but laborious to do right and your mechanic probably doesn't want the ass ache for small financial return comparatively.

[Hossboro]

Thnx Bruken, think you may have hit the nail on the head there.  Can see that it may be small return for lots of work for the garage...