Hello, I am replacing my timing chain, and the head gasket was messed up. I had planned to replace the valve seals if they needed it, so I decided to remove the head to instead of trying to take the valves seals out the hard way.

The valves hold water with the head upside down, but they are covered in some chalky crust, there is definitely some carbon on the pistons. Oil has been getting in to the cylinders, I am hoping it is just the seals, I don't want to rebuild the block.
here are the pictures: the colors are off a bit.
4 and 3

2 and 1

close up of worst valve surface.


Compression was good across each cylinder and within spec, so I am guessing the problem is valve stem seals.

Thanks for your opinions.

I don't have any real answers to your questions, but i did have a thought. When you test the valves for leaks, instead of water I'd use some PB blust 'em loose stuff. It has an incredibly low surface tension so it will seep through the smallest possible leak. Just a thought though, not really essential.

I will try it, I have already cleaned the valves, and put in new seals. Hopefully carbon wasn't the only thing creating the seal.

>>>*K...A bit of diagnosis if I may. Note the upper photo on the right where the head gasket had a small carbon leak reaching the head bolt. This is common and a hot spot on these engines, as both exhaust valves are adjacent.

All the cylinders show signs of oil contamination, the left photo on the bottom being the worst.

There is "washing" present around the intake valves, this is normal, the brownish coloration which is likely whiter than it appears is ash. The same material as in the rest of the chamber except the exhaust valve operates much hotter and burns it more completely leaving the harder buildup.

I see several valve stem seals leaking a small amount as you suggest, but you also have some small escapage past all four oil rings.

Not bad, though. A good cleanup, resurface and reinstall should work for quite awhile. Change the oil and filter, too. This engine shows some signs of a few longer than normal service intervals?....*EB

Thanks EB. I have only had it for a year, and judging by the other lack of maintenance I wouldn't be surprised about over-long oil service intervals.
My valve stem seals were terrible, and what you said about the leaks to the head bolts makes sense, two of them were almost impossible to loosen and required driving them out because of how much gunk was pressure pumped into the holes.

I never had low compression. and only saw smoke in small quantities at start-up, so I am hoping the rings aren't too bad, i didnt have time or money to redo the block this time. I guess next timing chain will be a total rebuild or a diesel swap <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />