Valve Guide Replacement wo/top end?

[CrossT]

Is it possible to renew the valve guides on a 3.2 without doing the top end [valve job]? Do you need to drop the engine to do the guides?

thx

[john walker's workshop]

no and yes.

[Mo_Gearhead]

Replacing valve guides will move the "center point" of your valves. Valves and seats must be re-cut to re-center everything and regain proper seal.

You might possibly remove and re-install your heads with the engine in the car, but you will wish you hadn't!

[CrossT]

Thanks and 'got it'. I'll just live with that little puff of smoke on startup after it sits. It only lasts 5 sec or so. Engine only has 67k on it

todd
89 targa

[FenderGuy]

Originally Posted by CrossT

Thanks and 'got it'. I'll just live with that little puff of smoke on startup after it sits. It only lasts 5 sec or so. Engine only has 67k on it

todd
89 targa

My car does that and it is consindered normal unless its smokes longer

[rnln]

So if it smoke for coupld secs start up, it is the valve guide problem? I thought any old car does that.

Originally Posted by CrossT

Thanks and 'got it'. I'll just live with that little puff of smoke on startup after it sits. It only lasts 5 sec or so. Engine only has 67k on it

todd
89 targa

[Super_Dave_D]

Originally Posted by rnln

So if it smoke for coupld secs start up, it is the valve guide problem? I thought any old car does that.

No that is not a tell tale sign. Ultra high oil consumption and smoking on decel is. At least it was on mine.

[TroyGT]

Agreed... a light puff on startup is normal for these cars.

[Zeke]

Here's how I think it works after reading here for awhile ( from winter of 2002). The guides get worn and let oil into the cylinders which shows on start-up. While this is going on, the valve and the valve guide are now becoming more that just a concentric seat. This works for a while longer (maybe 100K miles) but you now have total junk for heads, Every seat must be replaced along with every valve. Not to mention the cause of it all, the guides.

[khamul02]

Isn't an oily spark plug another indicator?

[JB36]

I brought my 3.2 to to have a ticking sound checked out by my local independent recently. He told me me I have a worn guide and the valve is moving around. The ticking is not as pronounced when warmed up. The valves were adjusted about 4k miles ago. The cars runs fine with no smoke. I only use about 1/2 to 3/4 quart per 1000 miles. I was told this is normal for a higher mileage motor (110K) and just drive it for now. Should I expect higher oil consumption soon? I'm wondering if a top end job is going to come sooner than I expected.