1.8t valve seals WITHOUT taking the head off

**Southside** · 10-07-2023,04:06 PM

I'm going to be replacing my valve seals shortly and I'm going down the route without taking the head off. Any advice appreciated but before I start buying a valve compressor, any recommendations? I've seen this type mentioned https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/563...ing-compressor but just wanted to know if others had used any others?

Also I'm going to use the rope method - inserting via the spark plug hole and then using the piston to push and prevent the valves from falling out. I'm assuming as long as I mark everything up before hand, moving the pistons shouldn't be an issue? I'll put everything back to the original setting before putting it all back but just want to be sure.

TIA

**Crasher** · 10-07-2023,05:30 PM

You can do it but you need some serious tools, they are fiddly enough with the head off!

Pressure hose -MP1-210 (VW 653/3) + compressed air supply (or the Indian rope trick)
Valve lever -MP1-211 (VW 541/1a,/5)-
Assembly device for valves -MP1-213 (2036) -
Blank holder for valve spring -MP1-229 (3362) -
Pressure plate -MP1-229/1 (3362/1)-
Valve stem seal extractor -MP1-230 (3364)-
Valve stem seal insertion tool - MP1-233 (3365)-

Brownie point for spotting the odd out of place detail here.

**mickeybo** · 10-07-2023,07:49 PM

What are your symptoms that you need to replace your valve seals

**Southside** · 11-07-2023,11:06 AM

So I've just brought this car last month and I've noticed it's smoking. Don't see much smoke from cold but when sitting in traffic and parked up idling, you can see smoke and smell strong petrol fumes from the exhaust. I've also noticed that my my doesn't have a cat so I'll get one fitted before the MOT.

I've been reading that he PCV system could be causing it?

**Crasher** · 11-07-2023,12:14 PM

Most likely the turbo has been damaged due to oil starvation from a blocked sump. Be very fussy about where you get the cat from, which year and engine type code?

**Southside** · 11-07-2023,01:45 PM

I took the turbo inlet pipe off to have a look and it was bone dry?

It's an Anni engine code AUQ

**Crasher** · 11-07-2023,04:14 PM

Yes, it will be, it leaks into the downpipe. When I bought my Octavia 1U VRS (AUQ engine) about 17 years ago it had a damaged engine due to sump sludge. I fitted a new genuine unit and went for a drive, came back and ordered a genuine turbo. A genuine cat is still listed under 1J0 254 506 SX but is £1945.20 exchnage so you would also get hit with a couple of hundred pounds surcharge. When mine failed I went to a Jetex downpipe and APR stage 2 remap but later replaced the cat with an EU5 spec unit. Aftermarket the only one I can recommend is the HJS 96 11 4073 but the problem is buying one. You know who stock them for £812.

**Southside** · 12-07-2023,07:39 AM

So ignoring the missing cat, why do you think it's the turbo? What checks can I do to confirm it is the turbo? I'm going to do a leak down pressure test this weekend and also clean out the PCV system to see if that helps but with 137k on the clock, my feeling it was the valve seals.

**Crasher** · 12-07-2023,09:54 AM

Heat burnt and compression combusted oil have a different smell and look which is hard to describe, something years of experience teaches you but burnt smells sickly and greasy with a grey hue and combusted dry and more carbon like with a blue hue. Burnt oil can be exhaust valve seals due to worn guides but isn't common or turbine oil leaks from a damaged turbine shaft piston ring which is VERY common but these are impossible to differentiate from the smoke. Combusted oil would be inlet guides (unknown) or PCV/compressor side shaft leaks and easy to check for in the charge air system. Exhaust side leaks will leave residue in the turbo outlet and pre-cat downpipe. If you take the head off to do the seals and find the exhaust guides worn, have them replaced and also as it is off have the turbo rebuilt at the same time as I can guarantee you one thing, if you put the head back together and it still smokes you will be a little bit annoyed. If the turbine shaft piston ring is damaged, also remove and clean the sump as sludge buildup on these is a common cause.

**Southside** · 13-07-2023,11:24 AM

ok, makes sense. So if I do get the turbo off, do you recommend I rebuild it? looks pretty straight forward but can you recommend the kit I should use? Also do you know what sizes jubilee clips I'll need and how many to replace all those one-time use ones on those hoses I'll be taking off? Just a rough idea would be great! Anything else I need to buy before I take this on?

Thanks