Valve seals

[Rabbit TD]

I was wondering if anyone ever came up with a tool or trick to be able to remove the valve retainer & spring to change the valve seals with the head still on the engine other than the expensive VW tool shown in the Bently book.  I've used an oxygen sensor socket with a standard compressor before but that's only with the head off.  I know there must be a tool cheaper than the VW one :roll:

[Vincent Waldon]

You can build one fairly easily using some aluminum or mild steel square tubing from Home Depot... rivets or screws to hold it together:

http://www.pureluckdesign.com/vw/vsc/index.htm

For once the fact that a diesel is an interference engine plays in your favour... no need to use rope or compressed air to keep the valve in place.  Just make sure you're have the piston in the right spot... else you'll be shouting "Waaaaait..... come baaaaaaack" as the valve disappears into the cylinder.  :wink:

[Rabbit TD]

You can build one fairly easily using some aluminum or mild steel square tubing from Home Depot... rivets or screws to hold it together:

http://www.pureluckdesign.com/vw/vsc/index.htm

For once the fact that a diesel is an interference engine plays in your favour... no need to use rope or compressed air to keep the valve in place.  Just make sure you're have the piston in the right spot... else you'll be shouting "Waaaaait..... come baaaaaaack" as the valve disappears into the cylinder.  :wink:

Thanks for the pics, That is the kind of thing I was hoping to find.  I should be able to come up with something like this with matrial from tractor Supply and put it together with my new mig welder I just got for Christmas for my first project.  On this same subject is there any seals that are better than the original VW type that don't take any special instalation to put them on.  Perfect Circle used to make a nice one that style years ago butI don't know if that Co. is even still in bussiness, I don't think I've seen their name anywhere for a good while.  Thanks again.

[Vincent Waldon]

I should be able to come up with something like this with matrial from tractor Supply and put it together with my new mig welder

*Perfect* little project for a new MIG welder... exactly how I christened mine, in fact.

[fatmobile]

There's also a picture around here somewhere,..
 of a home made valve seal puller.
 Someone drilled half way through a nut, drilled the threads out to the size of the seal,..
 welded the nut to a pair of pliers, then cut it in half.
 Now the pliers have a lip that grips under the old seal so it can be pulled off.