Valve seal job

[RustBucket]

What is the price range on a valve seal job on a 305? My malibu is consuming way too much oil and it doesn't idle smoke, only at cold start ups it blows a cloud of smoke, and when I rev it really high. Someone told me it might be the valve seals and this would be my last bucks at this car if she don't get right. Been 7 years and a whole lot of money spent. Thank y'all God bless.

 

[64nailhead]

Complete a leakdown test 1st. If leakdown is below 25%, then the valve seals are the most likely cause. Keep in mind that the valve seals might worn out due to excessive valve to guide wear. If this is the case, then changing the seals is only a crutch for a short period. If you're paying someone to do this, then up you might as well throw in a new set of plugs at the same time as they will be removed inorder to change the valve seals with the heads installed.

The cost should be in the 3-4hr area. Get a quote or two. But the job for a knowledgeable mechanic is really quite simple.

 

[lilbowtie]

Hate to think of what it would cost - have you considered doing it yourself??

 

[joesregalproject]

Probably a pretty expensive job at a shop, but not very hard to diy if you think you are up to it. I remember the first time I did valve seals, I had never opened up an engine before, I was petrified. It took me all of an hour once I got the valve covers off and that engine is still running today. It's not hard to diy, the biggest issue is clearance on the back Cylinders, particularly on the passenger side where the heater box is.

 

[UNGN]

If you have not yet, pour a can of "Restore" into the oil. I had a Miata burning a quart/100 miles that has gone 1,000 so far and is still above add.

If you have a compressor, an Lbar Spring compressor is $10, a adapter hose is pretty cheap, and get one of those magnets on a stick deals, too, for the keepers, then just plan on a full Saturday for the first time. Do it a couple times an it can be done in 1.5 hours start to finish.

 

[TURNA]

Just buy 2 rebuilt heads it will be cheaper.

 

[TURNA]

Autozone / Advance Auto sell remans for 150 each.

If you have a head shop around your way or a store that deals with Keystone Parts supplier they should be around the same price.

 

[UNGN]

Check Ebay for Rebuilt heads, you may find a cheap set. I've bought remanned heads for $125 shipped/pair in the past. Most of that had to be shipping... but if you have an air compressor and a weekend there are a lot harder jobs than swapping valve stems seals.

If you don't have a compressor, there is always the "rope trick"... but everybody with a G-body should at least have a small compressor.

 

[airboatgreg]

If you remember the Chevy valve seals are a square cut o-ring that are fitted under the valve spring retainer and not the common umbrella style that are fitted over the valve guide. Lets go back to basics. Is the PCV system working? Are the oil drain back ports in the front and rear of heads clean? Are you fouling plugs and if you are, is there built up on the plug that would indicate leakage from above? or below? A cylinder leakage test is great but that only tests the cylinder taper and the compression rings. A squirt of oil in the cylinder before a compression test really is inconclusive as to the exact cause of oil usage. Is there any blow by? In other words if you pull the PCV valve out of the rocker cover, how much smoke comes out of the cover when running? What weight oil are you using?
I am not a mechanic in the can type of person but if the PCV/breathing system is good, oil drain back ports clean, I would run a quart of AC Delco X66 properly through the intake to see if you can free up the oil rings and go from there