valve seals? (QuickAudi@aol.com)

[rob hod]

    I'm not sure that's a very good test. Under load it is very difficult to
distinguish between a car that is 'sucking' oil through worn inlet valve
seals, and one that is sucking oil up past worn rings aided by blow-by from
other worn cylinders.

     There is a strand of thinking with some merit that argues that a cloud
of blue smoke on start-up is a good sign of valve seal failure. After all,
while stationary, oil may trickle down valves leading to a pool in the IM
that gets burnt on start up , but it aint likely to crawl up cylinder walls.
But again it is all 'smoke' and mirrors.

    My best would be to do a compression check. If you've good compression
then its maybe worth doing the job, even though the oil-control rings may
still be passing more than they should.

    If you can establish that its just the seals, then its certainly a job
worth doing.

    Oh and now I read the original message, there it is - puff of smoke on
start-up.

    HTH

rob
----- Original Message ----- >
> Message: 3
> From: QuickAudi at aol.com
> Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 18:34:55 EDT
> Subject: Re: valve seals?
> To: <quattro at audifans.com>
>
> The answer is yes, your valve seals are going.  My '86 is having similar
troubles.  One good way to check to be absolutely positive: have a buddy
follow you up and down a few hills somewhere.  Coast downhill, then romp on
it going up the hill.  Obviously, the pressure would force oil past the
seals, giving you a smoke that you can't miss.  If it's there, you know for
sure.  It should only be about a 4 hour job for a good technician.  Price
range will vary, but I think $250 for the seals and then labor should cover
it.  Somebody feel free to correct the prices.
>
>
> Joel Liggins
> 1986 5kCSQ  Konis all around, Ronal R7 w/ Dunlop SP9000
>
>
>
> Symptoms:
> a. 91 200TQ goes through about 1/2 quart of oil per month
> b. puff of smoke every time when car is started
> c. car has 176K miles
>
> At first, I thought it was a crankcase ventilation problem - I replaced
the
> crankcase breather hose, but still have to top off the oil periodically.
> I'm thinking it could be worn valve seals.  Does this sound reasonable?
How
> could I confirm this?  What else should I look for?  If it is valve seals,
> is this a big job?  What would a ball-park cost be?