Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Terbs on 15 August 2023, 23:05:03

Title: Valve stem seals
Post by: Terbs on 15 August 2023, 23:05:03
Does anyone know the cost of replacing valve stem seals. I assume that's what's wrong. Car has been stood a while, and after fitting the crank sensor, I started it, gave it a bit of welly (stationary) and had a large blue cloud. Tell how bad it was, my grandson came round and said.. 'Have you started the Omega?'....I said 'Why'.......he said..'There is a big blue cloud out in Humphries Drive'  ;D ;D ;D. Are there additives you can use to refurbish the seals that work. Engine has only done 80k and gentle driving (not thrashed) I am only the second owner, and had it donkeys years.
I don't really want to spend a fortune on engine stripping yet, as I am in the middle of sorting the bonnet and roof for respray (I shall do this myself, but it costs £250 per day for spray booth hire/usage)  :o
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 15 August 2023, 23:21:48
With a couple of quick oil changes and use, they should come around.  ;) Another reason why being sat for ages isn't great for cars.

Any top end rattle is a sign that the lifters have drained down too, again nothing that some use will help resolve ;)
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: Terbs on 15 August 2023, 23:30:57
Cheers Al. Although it hasn't moved for ages, it has been started (when the crank sensor allowed) but the sensor gave up the ghost totally a few days ago, so had to change it.  :y
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: Andy B on 15 August 2023, 23:41:48
Valve stem seals  can be changed without head removal on some engines .... no idea of the inline 4s or V6s  :-\
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: Terbs on 16 August 2023, 10:45:00
Yes, I have heard that Andy....but beyond my scope.
Has anyone got an idea of replacement price, if it ends up needing it
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: TheBoy on 16 August 2023, 12:58:56
I know the earlier 2.6 was prone to stem seals, fixed I believe on the later ones.

No idea on costs, imagine its all labour TBH.
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: Terbs on 16 August 2023, 13:10:21
I think you are right TB....I have seen the seals for just a few quid. We will see how it goes, then it might be a call to Serek.  :y
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 August 2023, 19:26:06
I think you are right TB....I have seen the seals for just a few quid. We will see how it goes, then it might be a call to Serek.  :y

Just in the process of doing mine, along with other jobs. Not a bad job to do at all :y
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: TheBoy on 17 August 2023, 11:34:55
I think you are right TB....I have seen the seals for just a few quid. We will see how it goes, then it might be a call to Serek.  :y

Just in the process of doing mine, along with other jobs. Not a bad job to do at all :y
I assume cams out, but can it be done without removing head?
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 17 August 2023, 11:38:36
With a compressor and a spark plug adapter it should be doable. Assuming that the valve seats are clean and undamaged  :-\

Just make sure that the crank is securely locked to prevent rotation and may as well throw in a new timing belt and camcover gaskets whilst you are in there.
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: VXL V6 on 17 August 2023, 19:09:56
I know the earlier 2.6 was prone to stem seals, fixed I believe on the later ones.

Wasn't fixed on the 03 2.6 I had, was only fixed when a lorry wrote it off and I bought 2x 3.2's with the insurance money and transferred the good parts  ;D
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: Andy B on 17 August 2023, 20:13:27
With a compressor and a spark plug adapter it should be doable.  .....

I used a length of string down the bore when I did my Dad's MKII Granada .. but it had simple tappets that easily unbolted to access the valves' springs
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 18 August 2023, 13:55:50
I think you are right TB....I have seen the seals for just a few quid. We will see how it goes, then it might be a call to Serek.  :y

Just in the process of doing mine, along with other jobs. Not a bad job to do at all :y
I assume cams out, but can it be done without removing head?

I personally have the heads removed, because the car had a cambelt let go, and all 12 inlet valves are as bent as a 9 bob note  ;D

I would do it head-off, personally. It gives the opportunity to inspect the valve seats, re-lap the valves, etc. I appreciate it's more work, but, I really wouldn't fancy dropping one of those little retaining collets down into an oilway or similar  :y
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: TheBoy on 18 August 2023, 18:26:34
I think you are right TB....I have seen the seals for just a few quid. We will see how it goes, then it might be a call to Serek.  :y

Just in the process of doing mine, along with other jobs. Not a bad job to do at all :y
I assume cams out, but can it be done without removing head?

I personally have the heads removed, because the car had a cambelt let go, and all 12 inlet valves are as bent as a 9 bob note  ;D

I would do it head-off, personally. It gives the opportunity to inspect the valve seats, re-lap the valves, etc. I appreciate it's more work, but, I really wouldn't fancy dropping one of those little retaining collets down into an oilway or similar  :y
Terbs, you're on your own with that one. I aint removing heads ;D
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 18 August 2023, 18:58:00
If you want them done, I will do them for a very fair price. To include a full head refurb. I’m afraid I can’t do a job of that magnitude for totally free, but it would still be a fraction of garage labour…. It would also be prime time to do cambelt and water pump - it would be removed regardless, so no extra labour ….

The only caveat is that I can’t work at the speed I used to - I’d need the car at my place for a short while :y

Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: Terbs on 18 August 2023, 23:15:37
Thanks for the reply, James......due to TB's lack of enthusiasm, I may well be messaging you, but it won't be yet, as it needs tax and mot, and I am going away for a month  :y
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 19 August 2023, 05:55:00
You’re welcome to leave her here for that month, and come back to a fresh MOT as well as a valve job. I’d probably start a progress / photo thread  👍🏻👍🏻
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 19 August 2023, 05:57:45
I’m no longer at the old place you came to. I now have off road parking for almost unlimited cars, which is dangerous for my car addiction (I have three Omegas at the moment!). So it wouldn’t be in the way :y

I probably should arrange a cambelt party!
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: Terbs on 19 August 2023, 12:22:43
Could leave it for a month, no problems  :y
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 19 August 2023, 14:36:35
Could leave it for a month, no problems  :y

When are you going away? I'm sure we could make a plan  :y
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: STEMO on 19 August 2023, 15:31:07
Could leave it for a month, no problems  :y

When are you going away? I'm sure we could make a plan  :y
A cunning plan, I hope.
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 20 August 2023, 03:27:02
Could leave it for a month, no problems  :y

When are you going away? I'm sure we could make a plan  :y
A cunning plan, I hope.
So cunning, in fact, that you could pin a tail on it and call it a fox... :D
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: polilara on 26 August 2023, 14:04:13
I know the earlier 2.6 was prone to stem seals, fixed I believe on the later ones.

No idea on costs, imagine its all labour TBH.

My 2.6 is a real 'Morning Smoker', Engine No. is 08533230, is it earlier or later, 310 000 km behind. Not really consuming oli.
Title: Re: Valve stem seals
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 26 August 2023, 16:41:58
I know the earlier 2.6 was prone to stem seals, fixed I believe on the later ones.

No idea on costs, imagine its all labour TBH.

My 2.6 is a real 'Morning Smoker', Engine No. is 08533230, is it earlier or later, 310 000 km behind. Not really consuming oli.
At that mileage it could be forgiven a light overhaul ;) No reason it won't do twice that mileage then :y