How to replace/fix valve guide seals?

[v6maro]

When i look at my plugs, there is some oil on there. When the car starts (which is now hard to do) i get a puff of blue smoke. this has been hapening for like 6 months now.
anyone have any install tips and/or pics?
thanks
-Steve

[strange_trp]

haynes manual should tell you.
youll want one if you will be replacing your own valve seals.

[P-nut-]

Engine Overhaul Procedures

[v6maro]

anyone else?

[WickEdSix9838]

you have to take the valve springs off to change the valves seals, the best thing to do is probably take the heads off and take them to a shop adn get them to put new valve guides, seals, and mill them...then if the car smokes its all in the short block and not the heads...

[GordSipko]

Well acutally, the puff of smoke on startup is from the upper end of the engine, not the short block. A ring problem would show as smoke under load.

Startup smoke is mostly due to increased clearance between the valve stem and the valve guide (ie, wear). The valve stem seal can't control the extra oil.

Replacing the seals without fixing the underlying wear problem may not make the smoke go away!

[nino]

i have the same problem. how long can i drive with it like this before i really screw something up? i seem to have had this problem for a while already.

[Magnus]

Nino, your problem could be valve cover gaskets. I know I have this problem.

[PewterBird]

As long as it is minimal at startup and doesn't get worse, should be a huge concern?

[nova]

I think nearly everybody's 3.4L gets that small amount of blue smoke on startup after 80,000-90,000 miles or so. I know mine's been doing it since abour 100K and its still going strong at 150K.