Changing the Valve Seals without removing the cylinder head?

[priley88]

Hi everyone,  My '84 FJ has been smoking a bit as it warms (white-grey smoke), but it seems to stop smoking after some good riding when it's fully warmed up;  the compression was 130-140 on all cylinders when cold today (which is within normal tolerances per Clymer manual), so based on previous posts here I suspect it's time to change the valve seals.  Is it possible to change the valve seals without removing the cylinder head? 
Thanks in advance!
Cheers,

Pete

[FJmonkey]

Let her smoke and ride.... Unless you have a cracked case. How much oil are you loosing?

[FJ1100mjk]

Where there's the will, there's a way...

http://www.zxforums.com/forums/mechanical-technical/46875-valve-stem-seal-replacement-no-head-removal-pics.html#/forumsite/20846/topics/46875?page=1

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?188696-Valve-stem-seals-without-removing-the-cylinder-head

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/vintage-motorcyle-info/112404-gpz1100-replacing-valve-seals.html

[FeralRdr]

Better Yet! 

Courtesy of Arnie: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=10862.0

And another option, but works best with two people.: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=10426.msg106146#msg106146

[FJ1100mjk]

Well, there ^^^ ya go. Model specific. No excuses now.

[racerrad8]

This one is FJ specific.

Valve stem seal change out

Randy - RPM

[movenon]

Having done it both ways I would say it is not that much harder to pull the head off.  You will do a better job and you can clean up the head a bit while off.  Also you can inspect the valves etc..  With the head on it is hard to do the exhaust side. It can be done just real time consumming and very unforgiving of dropping crap (crap, valve keepers, old seal remains, old seal springs etc.) down the engine, plug holes etc. IMO not for the timid to take on. 

Note on the old stem seals they can be a bugger to get out on the exhaust side and can come out in pieces, each one has a small steel spring wire that can cause a problem if you don't get it all the way cleaned out and you can't see in those exhaust pockets. You run a risk of jambing a bucket or marring the bore. Don't mean to discourage you I just want to relay what can go easily wrong. Not mention dropping a valve if you are not real careful.

Strongly recommend RPM's valve stem seals. Buy a head gasket, O ring seal,and timing chain adjuster gasket and remove the head... Randy has all you need. It really isn't that hard.  If you have the talent to do it with the head on you have the talent to remove the head IMO.

I did mine that way because I wanted to go to a rally a two weeks later.  Last winter I pulled the head off for other work and redid the seals(and replaced a valve).  Hope it helps.
George

[4everFJ]

I have used the 'rope trick' a couple of times. Works fine 

[priley88]

Hi gents, Just wanted to say a very belated thank you for all the help! I have been separated from the bike for a few months (it's in Maryland, and I am in Rhode Island most of the time), so I am just getting to fixing the valve stem seals in the next few days- big thanks to the folks over at RPM for getting some of the gaskets shipped so quickly as well!  Will have to let you know how it all turns out...I'm tempted to remove the head anyway just to have a look at the valves and cylinder head.  Compression was low-normal last time we checked it if I recall (bike is an 84 with an unknown history).  anyway, thanks again!
Cheers, and ride safe out there!
-Pete