1992 80q Smokin' Possible Valve Stem Seals?

[Pat]

I had a Scirocco that smoked.
The valve stem seals were bad but they failed b/c the valve guides were
worn.  Valve stem was moving around beating up the seals.
I think more common is just dry, hardened seals.

You can change the seals with head on the motor; you need the proper air
fitting and a compressor to hold the valves up.
Otherwise pull the head; lot more work but you can check the guides.
Also you can hand lap the valves with a little grinding compound.


-----Original Message-----
From: quattro-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:quattro-bounces at audifans.com] On
Behalf Of Michael Veglia
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 12:55 PM
To: Quattro List
Subject: 1992 80q Smokin' Possible Valve Stem Seals?

My daughter's 1992 80q (formerly mine) has always smoked a bit at idle since
I got it a few years ago. Compression was great when I got the car, for what
that's worth. I got the car with ~152k a few years back and it has around
173k miles now. I was down visiting her (in the San Diego area) this weekend
and noticed it seems to be smoking worse and she says she needs to add oil a
lot. It was due for an oil change so I suggested we up the weight (was
10/40, trying 20/50), start tracking consumption more closely, and add some
(Lucas) seal conditioner stuff to top up next time it goes low and see what
happens. 

My suspicion is valve stem seals. The car just passed CA smog in January
easily, and last time I had it smogged it also passed easily. It runs great,
but does have a check engine come on intermittently (but the codes
are always 4-4-4-4, nothing stored)--I am guessing o2 sensor not liking the
oil/smoke being the most likely suspect there. Anyway, in all my years of
owning Audi I5s (11 and counting over almost a quarter century) have never
had to deal with a smoker, but I gather valve stem seals are a pretty common
cause of this. Given I have not yet been down this path I don't have things
like valve spring compressor and valve stem seal pliers. From what I can
tell the job is pretty straight forward, but if anyone who has some BTDT
experience can advise it would be wonderful. Better yet, if anyone has the
tools they would like to rent, loan, or sell cheap please let me know. 

I do have a couple referrals for shops in her area (she lives in Fallbrook
near San Diego, CA) and we may opt to have it done down there, or she will
drive the car up here (I'm 450 miles North in Santa Cruz) probably around
end of May and I'll do it then (if things go bad I'll just let her borrow my
4kq for as long as she needs to).

Any tips and advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Mike Veglia
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