..WW
Is it worth fixing?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati oh
Is it worth fixing?
I have some valve smoke not terrible but enough. Is it worth it to replace the seals, or should i try one of those "restore" products.
I also had been adised to wait and just throw another crate engine in it?
Any ideas? Thoughts?
I also had been adised to wait and just throw another crate engine in it?
Any ideas? Thoughts?
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
I am not sure how many miles you have on your new Vette, but the L98 engines usually need to have valve guides and seals when they get somewhere in the 75,000 mile range. You should shop around and see what your local shops charge for this service. The L98 is a solid engine and if properly maintained it should give you years of good reliable service.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 596
Likes: 355
From: Mt Prospect IL
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Send me the money you would spend on the restore products, you will get the same results
.
Valve guide seals are easy enough to replace with the engine in the car, but if you are having smoke while running down the road I doubt its the seals. Might be time for the motor. Do a compression test and a cylinder leakage test and see where you are loosing the cylinder sealing.
Good luck.
. Valve guide seals are easy enough to replace with the engine in the car, but if you are having smoke while running down the road I doubt its the seals. Might be time for the motor. Do a compression test and a cylinder leakage test and see where you are loosing the cylinder sealing.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati oh
I can not even see it from the reirw view mirror. I had a buddy follow me. I am 99% it is the valve seals but I know a rebuild is in my future (hopefully this will last a couple more years)
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati oh
True dat But done misunderstand this motor has a ton a life in it. I just want to try to head off a more serious problem later. So will this band aid help or is it a waste of time? Could it make things worse faster?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 414
From: WV
I don't think that it will make it worse, but from what I have heard it doesn't do much to fix the problem. As far as I can see there are 2 things you can do, drive it like it is, or fix it right by putting in new seals.Its just going to keep getting worse if you don't..Seals aren't that big of a deal ....WW
Last edited by WW7; Apr 21, 2009 at 02:39 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: North Bay Ontario
Avoid the mechanic in a bottle solution. Valve seals are an inexpensive fix and can make a huge difference. I don't want to discourage you, but something doesn't sound quite right...no question the valve seals on an 18 year old engine pushing close to 100,000 miles have probably outlived their effectiveness, but it is using a substantial amount of oil and if the oil burning is visible when the engine is running and warm and someone following you notices it - I think it would be a good idea to do a compression test before going any further. If all cylinders are consistent (perhaps lower than preferred) and the engine is still running strong it is probably worth just doing the seals to see what difference this makes. ...my $.02
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati oh
Avoid the mechanic in a bottle solution. Valve seals are an inexpensive fix and can make a huge difference. I don't want to discourage you, but something doesn't sound quite right...no question the valve seals on an 18 year old engine pushing close to 100,000 miles have probably outlived their effectiveness, but it is using a substantial amount of oil and if the oil burning is visible when the engine is running and warm and someone following you notices it - I think it would be a good idea to do a compression test before going any further. If all cylinders are consistent (perhaps lower than preferred) and the engine is still running strong it is probably worth just doing the seals to see what difference this makes. ...my $.02
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 525
Likes: 21
My car smokes on start-up and my wife said one day it smokes a little bit when she was following me. My car uses about a quart between oil changes. (I don't think that is excessive) It is a 89 with 113K on it. I ordered valve seals and since I was going to be doing seals I just ordered 1.6 roller rockers. My car runs strong as well. If you want to wait a week or two I will let you know how I make out. I think I will be doing my project weekend after next.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 857
Likes: 1
From: Morrisonville Illinios
FOr what is is worth try SEAFOAM run a can try the intake by using the vacuum line off the booster and dump a can in the tank and fill with super premium. a lot of the gang here will swear by it and you won't hurt anything but clean the crap out of the intake system. DO IT OUTSIDE when you run it threw the vac line and you might need to give it a little gas.
a L98 will last a long time.
GOOD LUCK wro87
a L98 will last a long time.GOOD LUCK wro87