Signs & Symptoms of Bad Valve Stem Seals!

In today’s video, Zach dives deep into the signs and symptoms of failing valve stem seals, how to accurately diagnose them, and explores the best replacement options. Valve stem seals are crucial for maintaining your engine's performance and longevity, and understanding their function and failure symptoms can save you from costly repairs down the road. Addressing valve stem seal issues promptly can prevent further engine damage, reduce oil consumption, and improve overall engine performance. By understanding the symptoms and knowing how to diagnose and replace these seals, you can ensure your engine runs smoothly and efficiently. Whether you are an experienced mechanic or a beginner DIYer, this video will arm you with everything you need to know about valve stem seals.

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00:12 – What are Valve Stem Seals and What Do They Do?
00:24 – How Many Valve Stem Seals Are in an Engine?
00:54 – Signs & Symptoms of Bad Valve Stem Seals
01:48 – Symptom #1 of Failing Valve Stem Seals: Blue/Gray Smoke On Cold Start
02:03 – Symptom #2 of Bad Valve Stem Seals: Blue/Gray Smoke After Idle/Acceleration
03:05 – Example of Blueish Gray Smoke Out of an Exhaust!
03:34 – Symptom #3 of a Bad Valve Stem Seal: Excess Oil Consumption
04:34 – How to Diagnose Bad Valve Stem Seals!
05:30 – Replacement Options for Failing Valve Stem Seals

[jfgdsahkl]

Love it straight to the point and simplified

[fedalex]

There are pneumatic tools that compress the valve springs for stem seal change already in practice. Though it's not a cheap job (valve cover needs to be removed and gaskets/plastic valve cover are to be changed), the total cost is halfed, even quartered as it's no longer an engine-out job (cylinder head removal not required anymore).

[RqyDey]

Thanks for this information coz i was wondering i changed the piston but i was still experiencing blue white smoking to my motorcycle

[jeffarnold]

Have high mileage Mustang 302 and it suddenly started blowing a couple of seconds of blue/gray smoke after interstate driving for at least 15 minutes. When I exit interstate, decelerate and then merge onto regular road and accelerate in 2-3 gear, it will blow a couple of seconds of blue/gray smoke and then clears up. I can drive in city, idle fine, runs like a top. I just did a complete tune-up and resealed engine and there are no vacuum leaks and the car runs beautiful except for the occasional smoke after high speed driving. I did take out spark plugs and only 1 plug was a greasy/oily mess. I think the oil is getting sucked up through the upper manifold via the pcv valve and then sent to the combustion chamber during high vacuum driving(interstate). Would a bad valve seal on that one cylinder that has an oily spark plug have a bad valve seal. I don’t think it’s a bad piston ring on that one cylinder, but I could be wrong.
What do you think?

[IG_Don]

My valves are due for adjustment/inspection. She’s burning a little oil but it’s -15+ out. I feel like they both are contributing to it

[nighttimestalker]

2009 Dodge caliber 2.0
185k miles.

Other week had extensive amounts of oil spray out into the engine bay. Had to replace valve cover entirely.

But while im not smoking from the engine nor seeing sny oil in the bay, i am having yhe acceleration issue. Sit at a red light, then go to take off, car putters and doesn't want to accelerate. And it shoots out a massive cloud of white smoke.
But after s few seconds, smoke is gone snd engine runs fine.

Was worried its a head gasket. But i dont seem to he losing coolant, and the smoke isnt consistent. Just on start up and the random clouds in acceleration.

But if this is my issue, i dont think i want to even get it fixed.
So guess its time for a new car. Just hope mine hold gor a few more weeks.

Payed 500$ for it. Had it s little over 5 years now.

[Chiefjake]

This old bmw i have with the m10 has bad valve seals so ima get a choppy cam and upgraded springs/rockers/top end when i get to it soon

[Progamer-rjon]

I’m having every symptom here. I got two questions tho, my truck struggles to start and usually only starts after about 3 cranks, is this another symptom of bad valve seals? And then my vehicle also sucks in air every now and then through the exhaust, is this another symptom?