4x4x4doors
Explorer
Well documented and photo-ed evolution. Two thumbs up.
1989 V6 - Valve Seal Replacement - Rope Trick.
- Thread starter Jay Ayala
- Start date
montypower
Adventure Time!
Wow! Fantastic write up... That's the best I've seen.
The rope trick is clever if you don't have an air compressor. I've swapped the valve stem seals on several monteros just hooking up an air compressor to each cylinder.
The rope trick is clever if you don't have an air compressor. I've swapped the valve stem seals on several monteros just hooking up an air compressor to each cylinder.
Jay Ayala
Explorer
Hey guys,
I had to follow up this post with a couple of items.
The result? No more blue smoke!!! I also managed to PASS the DEQ emissions test this morning and also renewed the registration on this vehicle. It is the first time since 2008! Whew Hoo!!!
I had to follow up this post with a couple of items.
- I had to revise this post by adding few photos on checking that the timing is still set okay and what to do if it isn't okay.
- I wanted to post some results of performing the valve seals job.
The result? No more blue smoke!!! I also managed to PASS the DEQ emissions test this morning and also renewed the registration on this vehicle. It is the first time since 2008! Whew Hoo!!!
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Jay Ayala
Explorer
Thanks Java.
Yes that is exactly right BamaExplorer, the rope holds up the valves. The more rope, the greater the force that holds the valves upright. In regards to the compressed air, aren't you afraid that if you whack it with the mallet, it may break the air seal causing both valves to fall into the cylinder? If that happens, you will be foreced to remove the cylinder head to get them out.
Thanks SlickRickBricks, I don't see why it wouldn't work on your engine. Its the 3.5 or the 3.8? You will definletly need more rope. You may even want to get a thicker one. I used a 1/4" rope.
Thanks for the compliment Jlocster.
Thanks Triple-4-Doors.
MontyPower, your compliment just made my day man. Best you've seen? Hmm... I've got some serrious forum post envy right now with jlocster's build thread. Air compressor method... Are you using a secial spring compressor? Or are you "whacking the tool with a mallet" like I was showing in this thread? Same question to you about being afraid that the valves would break the seal and fall into the cylinder.
montypower
Adventure Time!
I have a nifty valve spring compressor tool purchased specifically for changing the monty stem seals. Extremely slick. No wacking required. 
Jay Ayala
Explorer
I have a nifty valve spring compressor tool purchased specifically for changing the monty stem seals. Extremely slick. No wacking required.
Yeah I was looking at that tool online. I thought it was really pricey at the time. Besides if I couldn't whack my spring anymore, I think I would miss it. Umm... That sounded wired.
Peter, do you have any photos of work in progress while using that tool?
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Great guide on this! I've changed valve stem seals a few times like this and this is the best method. However it's super important to not only find the top dead centre of each cylinder, but find the top dead centre of the compressing stroke. This way all valves for that cylinder will be closed and you won't bend any valve stems.
Jay Ayala
Explorer
Thanks tin for your reply. I appreciate it.
You know, I'm not sure if you caught it or not but I removed the entire rocker arm assembly. Now correct me if I'm wrong here but if you relieve the downward pressure from the rocker arm assembly off the springs, doesn't that effectively close all valves? If so, I don't see how any valves could conceivably be in a position to get bent in the first place. I may be wrong about that and if I am, I'll be the first to retract this post or correct it in some way.
You know, I'm not sure if you caught it or not but I removed the entire rocker arm assembly. Now correct me if I'm wrong here but if you relieve the downward pressure from the rocker arm assembly off the springs, doesn't that effectively close all valves? If so, I don't see how any valves could conceivably be in a position to get bent in the first place. I may be wrong about that and if I am, I'll be the first to retract this post or correct it in some way.
You're totally right about the TDC. No need to worry if you've disassembled the valve train. For some reason I was imagining compressing valve springs with a valve spring compressor tool and pulling everything out from under the rocker. Great writeup though, it's a great repair to do on the cheap, and can do a lot for oil consumption. I'm always amazed by how creative you can be with a simple rope as a tool! The rope trick can also be used for removing the harmonic balancer, but this time TDC of cylinder one is important...
Jay Ayala
Explorer
Well I went back and found a better photo hosting site. I fixed all the broken links and hopes this serves the Mitsubishi community in the future. Oh yeah, here is a bonus picture too. I don't actually know how, but I think while I was underneath the raider, the skin just below the eyebrow must have got snagged on a metal shard or something protruding from the frame. It gave me a nice black eye for about a week or so. I didn't even feel it when it happened.
