Any guides to changing valve stem seals?

W

Weborific

Member
Hi. My seals are leaking and my mechanic (brother-in-law) told me that he's unable to change the seals without removing the head. Is there any way around this? Any guides for our P5? THANKS!
 
From my understand you can change everything with the head on with the exception of the valve stem itself.

Edit: You will need something to keep the valve up and the piston at TDC. I've heard of people using rope before. Just go a quick google search on replacing valve stem seals with the head still on the car.
 
Last edited:
Professional engine builders use air pressure to keep the valves closed. They screw an adapter into the plug threads and connect an air hose with the cylinder at TDC compression stroke.

Clifton
 
flash75 said:
Professional engine builders use air pressure to keep the valves closed. They screw an adapter into the plug threads and connect an air hose with the cylinder at TDC compression stroke.

Clifton
Click to expand...

I know what your talking about but the name slips my mind.
 
Hey Weborific, what symptoms are you experiencing? I think mine might be and as well, but I wanted to hear if your symptoms matched. Are you blowing blue smoke all the time? How much oil are you consuming? Thanks!
 
YOU GUYS ARE AWSOME!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!! Been looking all over this forum and the net but couldn't find anything specific to our P5's. Thank you for the links! I may buy the tool if my brother-in-law doesn't have it already at his garage.
MazdaSpeeder, the symptom I am having is white/blue smoke when I start the car. I also read somewhere that leaky seals can contribute to poor mileage. I have tried EVERYTHING to improve my mileage, so I wanted to get the seals replaced.
I don't know if I'm blowing blue smoke all the time. I believe it's worse when the car is cold (like winter). My oil levels always seem alright, so I don't think I'm burning much between oil changes....
 
MazdaSpeeder said:
Hey Weborific, what symptoms are you experiencing? I think mine might be and as well, but I wanted to hear if your symptoms matched. Are you blowing blue smoke all the time? How much oil are you consuming? Thanks!
Click to expand...

The way I understand it, if your blowing smoke all of the time, most likely your piston rings are shot...

If your blowing smoke at start-up, then it quits, most likely its the valve seals...

I'm having the same issue (smoke at startup) thats how I found this thread...

This isn't something I think I want to do. I could probably do it myself, at work using their air compressor, but I think I'd rather a shop do the job...

Any idea on what this should cost to have done?

With my car, the longer it sits, the worse it smokes at start-up. My car is consuming oil, she'll start ticking when it gets low, if it gets too low, she'll trip a CEL. Fill her back up and all is good...

A can of engine restore helped me for about a week, I bought another can today to get me by, but I need to have this done. I can't stand the "smoke show" when she starts up. Reminds me of the car in Uncle Buck...
 
ok, I'm back aand need help again... Has anybody here actually changed the seals of a P5 without removing the head?? I called the dealer. They want $1400 and say they need the car for 16 hours of work.....
 
Having the same problem with mine it's kinda embressing to start my car if it sit for a while. One of my dads friends is going to change the seals by using the air compresser method. Also how many miles are on your guys, I have 107000?
 
Weborific said:
ok, I'm back aand need help again... Has anybody here actually changed the seals of a P5 without removing the head?? I called the dealer. They want $1400 and say they need the car for 16 hours of work.....
Click to expand...

Ouch at 1.4k you might as well look at a low mileage engine from Ken at PG!
 
No, I'm not positive it can be done on a P5. I found the link for the tool and posted it here so I assume it works on some OHC engines. I have observed and helped change springs on several V8's with heads in place. Dealers probably wouldn't know but someone who prepares OHC Mazda engines for racing should know. It's common to use weaker springs on a race engine for initial break-in and change to springs with a greater seat load for racing.

Clifton
 
thank you all for the replies! MUCH appreciated! I'll have to check back with the dealer and my brother-in-law. Why would the dealer charge me for 16 hours?? The woman who answered didn't even know what valve stem seals are. I'm naming it correctly? Anyway...we'll see....
 
i just changed the seals in my head last weekend before i put it on my built block. You need compressed air in the cylinder if your going to do it with the head on the car the only thing i can tell you is to be sure you dont drop the tiny kepers in the head or you proabably wont find them and youll be ******.
 
Please log in or register to reply here.

Similar Threads and Articles

G
    • Thinking
Replace Faulty Valve Stem Seals?
Replies
9
Views
810
Gio800
G

New Posts and Comments

I
2016~2023: Hood and front panel
Replies
3
Views
99
22GrayGhost
2
T
New to me CX-5 Grand Touring missing weather strip push pins
Replies
0
Views
3
Techdude
T
B
Remote window lowering
Replies
2
Views
61
N7turbo
N7turbo
klm682
  • Question Question
2017~2025: Rear lift gate rattle
Replies
0
Views
57
klm682
klm682
W
2013~2016: Question on TPMS for 16 CX-5 (not sensors)
Replies
2
Views
48
wlong01
W
5
    • Like
Guide: Found a successful Drive Cycle formula!
Replies
19
Views
151K
mujin
M
View more…

New Threads and Articles

Back