Hello, I am putting my 4runner back together after my second HG blowout, and I really need to replace ghe valve stem seals. I didn't do it 8 years ago after my first HG blew and I need to do it now. Thing is I'm not sure how to go about it. I have never done it on ANY engine ever. I have watched some videos of it being done on DIFFERENT heads where the springs are not "inset" like on the 3vze...so I don't really know what to expect. I aim to get this done tomorrow, any info or tips would be greatly appreciated. Btw, I already tourqued the heads down( should have thought about this valve stem situation while they were off) and plan on doinv the nylon rope trick.

 

The cams must be removed, then the 'lifter' buckets and shims must be removed, and then the valve spring compressed and the keepers taken out.

Don't know if I've ever seen a valve spring compressor that can work on a 3vz engine head that is installed on the engine. Good luck!!

Should have been done before the heads were installed for sure. Please show us how if you are successful, and please tell us if you are not.

 

Thanks for the reply. Hopefully I can do it without removing the heads. I am not too worried about it, I am pretty good at figuring out unoryhodox ways of doing things and even fabricating special tools. I will post my results.

 

You'll need needle-nose pliers to pull out the old valve stem seals. http://web.archive.org/web/201208130...68cylinder.pdf With the valves OUT. Even if you could remove the retainer, spring and seat without removing the head, you'd have to drop the valves into the cylinder to remove the valve stem seals.

If you could pull this off without removing the heads, I would be impressed. But I'm pretty sure it would take much less time and cost less to just bite the bullet and pull the head.

 

I am putting the job off for now, but when I do tackle it I will plan to do it with the heads removed BUT I will attempt to do it with the heads on and document the process and share it here if it is a sucsess.

 

Yes, it is possible to replace the valve steam seals with the heads installed, but you do have to remove the cams. With cams removed and spark plugs removed, you will need to go through a slight pain in the ass process, of pushing cotton cord into the cylinder of the valve set your working with, then drive the piston up in the cylinder compression stroke to force the cotton cord against the bottom of the valves, with that done, you can now remove the valve seals, lube up the new seals and install. The bad thing is, now you will need to repeat this process for each cylinder, which means, re-assembling the timing belt over and over until they are all done, BUT, you decide which is faster, head removal, or this process? This similar process is done on some semi-truck engines, and saves a HUGE amount of time, but get the job done and done right, mind you, these engines typically are gear driven, not belt, making them a bit easier. Anyways, hope this help, good luck.

 

Reassemble the timing belt over and over.....?????? Please explain why you'd have to do this.