Signs & Symptoms of Bad Valve Stem Seals!

In today’s video, Zach dives deep into the signs and symptoms of failing valve stem seals, how to accurately diagnose them, and explores the best replacement options. Valve stem seals are crucial for maintaining your engine's performance and longevity, and understanding their function and failure symptoms can save you from costly repairs down the road. Addressing valve stem seal issues promptly can prevent further engine damage, reduce oil consumption, and improve overall engine performance. By understanding the symptoms and knowing how to diagnose and replace these seals, you can ensure your engine runs smoothly and efficiently. Whether you are an experienced mechanic or a beginner DIYer, this video will arm you with everything you need to know about valve stem seals.
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00:12 - What are Valve Stem Seals and What Do They Do?
00:24 - How Many Valve Stem Seals Are in an Engine?
00:54 - Signs & Symptoms of Bad Valve Stem Seals
01:48 - Symptom #1 of Failing Valve Stem Seals: Blue/Gray Smoke On Cold Start
02:03 - Symptom #2 of Bad Valve Stem Seals: Blue/Gray Smoke After Idle/Acceleration
03:05 - Example of Blueish Gray Smoke Out of an Exhaust!
03:34 - Symptom #3 of a Bad Valve Stem Seal: Excess Oil Consumption
04:34 - How to Diagnose Bad Valve Stem Seals!
05:30 - Replacement Options for Failing Valve Stem Seals

[@jfgdsahkl]

Love it straight to the point and simplified

[@8020Media]

J - Thanks for the feedback! We hope it helps.

[@jeffarnold2132]

Have high mileage Mustang 302 and it suddenly started blowing a couple of seconds of blue/gray smoke after interstate driving for at least 15 minutes. When I exit interstate, decelerate and then merge onto regular road and accelerate in 2-3 gear, it will blow a couple of seconds of blue/gray smoke and then clears up. I can drive in city, idle fine, runs like a top. I just did a complete tune-up and resealed engine and there are no vacuum leaks and the car runs beautiful except for the occasional smoke after high speed driving. I did take out spark plugs and only 1 plug was a greasy/oily mess. I think the oil is getting sucked up through the upper manifold via the pcv valve and then sent to the combustion chamber during high vacuum driving(interstate). Would a bad valve seal on that one cylinder that has an oily spark plug have a bad valve seal. I don’t think it’s a bad piston ring on that one cylinder, but I could be wrong. What do you think?

[@8020Media]

J - I think your diagnosis is spot on. There has to be oil coming from somewhere that is going into the combustion chamber.

[@jeffarnold2132]

I’m doing a compression test this weekend and that could tell a lot. Do you think replacing the valve stem seal on that cylinder that has the nasty spark plug will/could fix the problem?

[@8020Media]

J - Wait and see after the test, but it certainly could!