Just thinking... this winter I'm thinking ,just thinking I hasten to add! the exhaust is a bit smokey, 155k miles guaranteed no service history and loving the back to basics motoring. No overheating,doesn't use any water, temp gauge stays on the button. this winter I'm thinking of replacing the valve stem seals. As a kid i replaced the seals in my golf ,removing the spark plug, putting in a bent screw driver to stop the valve falling into the bore and replaced the seals. Is there a l200 equivant? On the forum I think Malanman(?) suggested provided the piston is at the top of its stroke the valve won't fall in anyway. Another suggestion is the rope trick through the injector hole, turn it over until the fed in rope compresses the valves into place..OR with such miles and its unknown service history would you remove the head and put a new head gasket in....ive done the cam belt 10k miles ago and the tappets 5k ago. Is it a poo job? Thanks you guys for the help as usual...Nik

just take the head off mate whole lot easier and quicker re new the head gasket why u are in there. at 155k piston rigs might need attention too!

@Nik Rite - Are you a freaky mind reader? I've been thinking about "exactly" the same thing! The rope trick I've seen used on petrols and direct injection diesels. However, on non direct injection (a.k.a proper, old school 4d56 etc...) diesels the fuel injectors and also the glow plugs sit in the swirl chamber, so I've been wondering if possible to get a rope through there into the cylinder without making a proper mess.

@123hotchef - it makes no sense to take off the head if it's not needed.....

155k MILES sods law means the HG will give up right after the stem seals get replaced

Quote: 123hotchef wrote in post #4

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155k MILES sods law means the HG will give up right after the stem seals get replaced

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HG fail sounds about right! Reckon compressed air would be the way to go rather than rope.

Does the HG give much warning before it goes? If i took the head off would you be able to hazard a guess how the bore was by feeling for a lip at TDC. I don't fancy removing the bottom end ,shells rings etc....I can see where your coming from but all it takes is a broken bolt and it all gets very interesting. At TDC surely the stems couldn't fall into the bore anyway? Do you use comp air through the injector holes to hold the valves closed?. Is there an adapter for the airline? Questions questions!!! Ta Guys

i would just do it on the bench new seals lap them in new HG jobs a goodun nice days work change the belts why ya at it

Posted by: Nik Rite

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Does the HG give much warning before it goes?

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Probably not.

Posted by: Nik Rite

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At TDC surely the stems couldn't fall into the bore anyway?

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Looking at the engine schematic it does look like the valves wouldn't fall far at all at TDC. So this might only be relevant for petrol engines with a lower compression ratio. Have you had the head off on one of yours Lee? what you think?

If needed, comp air would go in glow plug holes. Adaptors are available, but at the moment I've got no clue what type thread it is.
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/sealey-vs...14aAiv0EALw_wcB

I did mine by putting compressed air in through the glow plug hole. You just need to have it constantly on at a set safe pressure as some will leak out slightly. I also had the piston I was doing at TDC just in case. Worked a treat.

Quote: Heathen wrote in post #9

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Posted by: Nik Rite

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Does the HG give much warning before it goes?

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Probably not.

Posted by: Nik Rite

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At TDC surely the stems couldn't fall into the bore anyway?

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Looking at the engine schematic it does look like the valves wouldn't fall far at all at TDC. So this might only be relevant for petrol engines with a lower compression ratio. Have you had the head off on one of yours Lee? what you think?

If needed, comp air would go in glow plug holes. Adaptors are available, but at the moment I've got no clue what type thread it is.
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/sealey-vs...14aAiv0EALw_wcB

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yes with it at TDC they will only fall 5-10mm tops depending what gasket is on it