Valve Stem Seal Question? HELP!

[nismobrown]

My brother has a 1997 GTS (Chrysler Viper UK official import).
He has had a problem with the car burning oil, a quart every 200 miles, after noticing the spark plugs were crudded on the passenger side, we did a compression test results were 182 to 190 at running temp on all 10 cylinders.
We then removed the valve covers and to our surprise there were NO valve stem seals on the passenger bank of cylinders.
Is there an easy fix for this without having to remove the head, and if so are there any tools available to assist.
This car has a full service history and has covered 25000 miles, these seals must have been left off by the factory from new.
Have we a chance of assistance from the manufacturer on this issue, I know the car is now 7 years old but these should have been fitted in the first place, and have been paid for, how could this be let to happen?

Thx

 

[Tom Sessions]

This has been a issue for quite awhile.The stem seals can be installed without pulling the heads.It is a fairly easy job to do all you need is a air compressor a hose that screws into the spark plug hole and a hand valve spring compressor.It can be done in less than a half day.

 

[1TONY1]

I have done this on my car. The same way Tom recommends. The mistake I made on my car was not changing the 64,000 mile old valve springs. If you are not worried about max performance then don't worry about it. Just a heads up.

 

[joe117]

The air pressure fitting that holds the valves closed while you remove the valve spring and fit new seals is probably the best way to do the job without removing the heads.

There is another way. This is a little "shade tree" but it works.

Pull the plug and move the piston way down. Get about three feet of soft rope that will fit in the plug hole.
Feed the rope into the cylinder. Get a bunch of it in there.

Tie a big ol knot in the outside end so you don't lose it all in the cylinder.

Bring the piston up with a breaker bar on the crank nut until it wont go up any more.
All that rope will mash up into the chamber and hold the valves in place while you do the job.

Guys in the UK might not know what "shade tree" means. It means doing the job with what you have out behind the barn.

 

[nismobrown]

thx . I like the idea of the rope.

what does a hand valve spring compressor look like as the only ones I have used in the past are the type like a letter G which you have to take the head off to use.

 

[nismobrown]

re

thx . I like the idea of the rope.

what does a hand valve spring compressor look like as the only ones I have used in the past are the type like a letter G which you have to take the head off to use.

 

[Johann]

Wasn't there an issue with '97 intake gaskets? The oil might be being pulled in from a faulty intake gasket.

 

[carl B]

Hi Dave,

Glad you found out about the stem seals!!!

Its amazing it came from the factory like that??

Carl

 

[carl B]

This is a pic of the plugs off the the bank of cylinders without the stem seals

The opposite bank are fine?

Carl

 

[1TONY1]

thx . I like the idea of the rope.

what does a hand valve spring compressor look like as the only ones I have used in the past are the type like a letter G which you have to take the head off to use.

$13.95 dollars US, the top pic.
http://www.mytoolstore.com/kd/kdengi13.html

Is the porcelin broken on that spark plug ?? Maybe some detonation .... oil sure promotes detonation.

 

[Viper Wizard]

Hi David,
I just e-mailed Nigel with the parts list and tool number.
"I've seen this before from the factory!"

Cheers

 

[nismobrown]

Thanks Chuck , I am surprised that it hasn't become an issue with one of the previous owners of the car. Perhaps there was a TVR engineer on holidays in the US working on that side of the engine in 97 when the car was built.

 

[NigelUK]

Update:
Used the rope method suggested by joe117, parts aquired from Chuck Tator (excellent service), thanks to carl B for posting the photos, and everyone else for contributing.
The GTS has now stopped using oil, and if anyone has the same problem with their Viper you will need to insert 5ft of 10mm nylon rope.

thanks
Nigel