Valve Stem Seals for '98 V70 AWD

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bockdharma - 18 Jul 2006 04:13 GMT

I am reasonably sure that the puff of blue smoke on start (or after at
least a ~30 min rest) indicates an issue with deteriorating valve stem
seals.

The actual seals are cheap, but are they "easy" to remove/replace? I
can't seem to find any DIY info on their extraction/replacement. Where
is a good place to get the tools? I think at least two specizlied seal
tools are needed.

If it's not a good idea to attempt oneself, can anyone give me a
reasonable labor estimate (in hours) so I can budget?

Thanks!

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Niels Bengaard - 18 Jul 2006 12:03 GMT

>I am reasonably sure that the puff of blue smoke on start (or after at
> least a ~30 min rest) indicates an issue with deteriorating valve stem
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Thanks!

Looks like a big job, according to my workshop manual it takes 9.3 hours to
install new ones.

Niels

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Mike F - 18 Jul 2006 13:20 GMT

> I am reasonably sure that the puff of blue smoke on start (or after at
> least a ~30 min rest) indicates an issue with deteriorating valve stem
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Thanks!

I would say this is not a job for the do-it-yourselfer. If you don't
have the special tool to pull the upper half of the head straight up,
one end of the casting *WILL* crack off. Also, if you don't use the
right amount and kind of sealant between the 2 halves of the head, then
you will have oil leaks or block oil passages. This is a job best left
to an experienced Volvo specialist.

Signature

Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

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bockdharma - 18 Jul 2006 16:15 GMT

> > I am reasonably sure that the puff of blue smoke on start (or after at
> > least a ~30 min rest) indicates an issue with deteriorating valve stem
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
> (But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

Thanks for the info. Checking around different forums, there is a
suggestion to actual use Auto-RX. I may do that, but I won't hold my
breath. At least I'll know I won't be having any sludge issues.

9.3 hours sounds like a TON of time to do this job. Wow. But I have
to agree that it sounds best left to a shop.

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Niels Bengaard - 18 Jul 2006 17:05 GMT

> Thanks for the info. Checking around different forums, there is a
> suggestion to actual use Auto-RX. I may do that, but I won't hold my
> breath. At least I'll know I won't be having any sludge issues.
>
> 9.3 hours sounds like a TON of time to do this job. Wow. But I have
> to agree that it sounds best left to a shop.

Have you seen any other with bad valve seals when you looked on the net? I
havent heard of that problem before, so I wouldnt look there first. Perhaps
a bad turbo if its a turbo?

Niels

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Tim (remove obvious) - 19 Jul 2006 00:47 GMT

> I am reasonably sure that the puff of blue smoke on start (or after at
> least a ~30 min rest) indicates an issue with deteriorating valve stem
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> If it's not a good idea to attempt oneself, can anyone give me a
> reasonable labor estimate (in hours) so I can budget?

Valve stem seals are VERY unlikely- i've not known any to start seeping down
the stems on any white block 5 or 6 cylinder even after 200k+.

You're problem is likely crankcase pressurization from a blocked breather
tree on the throttle body.

As an aside, lifting the cam carrier / cams in / out / etc etc is not for
the faint hearted and definately NOT without the correct pullup/pulldown
tools, else it will end in disaster.

Tim..

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