Using rope to hold valves during valve spring removal and valve stem seal replacement

How to use the rope method inside the cylinder to prevent the valves from dropping to low during valve spring removal and valve stem seal replacement.

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BimmerZen assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. BimmerZen recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of BimmerZen , no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not BimmerZen.

[ytromu]

!!!WARNING!!! After watching your video I decided to use the 'Rope' as opposed to 'Air'. On BMW S63 engine I stuffed cylinder 1 with nylon rope, turn crank until it stopped, removed valve springs. I turned the crank counter-clockwise slightly to release top of cylinder from compressing rope. When attempting to remove rope it would not come out. After using my bore scope to view inside the cylinder, it had somehow developed a knot. At this moment the nylon rope is stuck in the cylinder and will not come out, no matter how much pulling force is applied. I picked at it for 4 hours to try to undo know, impossible. I am now in the process of removing the head to get the rope out, which includes removing turbos, all associated coolant and oil lines, then the exhaust manifold. What a mess!!! DO NOT RISK IT!!!

[jerryp]

Well done and explained! Only thing I’d recommend is…mentioning to put something (rag) over in the spark hole(s) in case one drops that nut or retainer slips. Last thing you want is to drop parts down there.

[mohabatkhanmalak]

In the early 1990's my cousin changed valve seals on a Mercedes-Benz 280S. But he went to all the trouble of getting a spark-plug hole attachment made at a machine shop. This method is much simpler and cost effective. Thanks for sharing.🐞

[andrewballance]

Wow. This neighbor made his own spring compressor. Petroleum priest.knows his business fosho. Quite impressive. Video so instructive.thank you sir

[danman]

Thanks mate that is brilliant.
I had this argument with my brother-in-law and he said the compressor was the only way. I knew there was another way and now you have proven it. Well explained.

[mirimar]

Great detail as always. Bought your kit. Now I'm looking forward to doing this job👍

[FinnishCarGuys]

Thanks for this! Only need to replace one valve stem seal that's come loose on my 205 Pug, wouldn't want to go through the trouble of removing the whole head etc.

[stigonutube]

love this rope method and you made it look easy lol, has anyone done this for for V6 engines?

[ravinperera]

Brilliant, also love the 3d printed tool… excellent work!

[danielvasilerusu]

Am făcut aceasta lucrare an fata blocului datorita videoclipului tău și mi-a ieșit perfect MULTUMESC!

[stalktraitor]

Working on my car now, using the rope trick. Did it with 1 cylinder fine. In the second cylinder the rope got caught, I managed to get it out though. I tried a lot of different things -- picking at it with a thin long metal rod (similar to coat hanger but thicker), I tried moving the crankshaft back/forth and gently pulling, these didn't work. I added a few drops of engine oil to try and lubricate the issue, I tried yanking on it hard, but none of these got it out. I was about to use leverage to yank even harder but for whatever reason, didn't resort to that yet.

What worked was spinning the nylon rope clockwise to tighten it down the cylinder, while pulling it out. This made the rope a lot thinner and tighter (from the point I was spinning it, and about 5-10 inches downwards - enough to get it through the spark plug hole) - The backside of the rope, behind my hands was getting thicker and looser - this doesn't matter because it's not going into the cylinder. Then just gently pulling got it released from where it was catching. When it was fully out, I inspected and the rope was frayed, bunching, and catching in some parts. I guess the rope I used is only a tad smaller than the spark plug holes, so it must have been fraying and bunching up just at the spark plug hole.
I'll be doing the other 2 cylinders, not right now but sometime next week - need the weekend off to de-stress after this mess. I'll be using a new length of rope for each cylinder. I don't recommend re-using rope for more than 1 cylinder after what happened to me. Hope this helps.

[BrokeAsHellChallenge]

Yes! Thank you 👍. I look forward to placing order for tool. 3D print 👣 support

[rn]

thanks for sharing this method. I will try this.

[familieverhoeve]

You are a genius, making the tool ! Is there one available for the BMW/MINI with the N14 /N18 enigine?

[simonroyle]

I need to replace my Mini N12 valve seals, using the rope method feels safer than compressed air. I can imagine losing compressed air just when the springs are removed, then the valve dropping into the cylinder!

[jonbeck]

Do you make a spring compressor tool for the N14 Mini engines?

[bowjensen]

I'm really liking the rope method! I'm assuming, once again, the 70cm thing is specific to that motor.

[Nickkk]

Also the50skid uses this method with his M54, Great job! ✌️

[josevaldoduartevidal]

Comprei suas ferramentas para trocar os retentores de válvula, parabéns, belo trabalho, valeu cada centavo

[ThePsychCenterEdgewater]

I have to change my valve stem seals on my 2012 Mini Cooper S countryman. Will the rope method work?