since it seems like it will be a pricey job to have done (which the opposite of what i had head - i heard it was a real cheap job that didn't take very long). I don't have any experience with engine work. how hard would it be for me to do this? are there special tools needed? Obvisouly, i would need some kind of manual, i don't know if the bentley covers this or not, because i don't have one.

thanks for any advice,
matt

 

20V, both cam shafts must come out of the car.

Then remove the 20 hydraulic lifters.

This will give you access to the valve keepers.

Requires a special tool to remove valve keepers.
Sort of a specialized press which presses down on top of the valve keepers allowing you to remove the 2 little halves inside.

Before you do this, you need another specialized tool which is threaded into the spark plug hole, to allow connection to an air compressor, and pump preasurized air into the cylinders. This is needed to keep the valves closed to use the press mentioned above. Doesnt always work. Sometimes the head has to be removed, if the valve keepers are too tight. Some have used nylon rope inside the cylinders.

Once the valve keepers are removed, you need a special set of plyers designed to grip the valve guide seals down in the valve spring hole of the head.

Once the 20 seals have been pulled by hand, you need a special tool to install the new seals.

Once the 20 seals are installed by hand, everything can go back together.

I've done dozens, and have all the special tools.

I prefer to replace the lifters too, while I'm there, especially on 60,000+ mile Audi's.
New lifters often make the engine perform much better because they fully open the valves once again. Where old worn lifters dont fully open the valves. Especially with a Schrick cam, which has higher than stock lift.

All new seals and gaskets required, or it will leak oil.

 

anywhere in/near virginia maybe? This sounds a little too complicated for me to do without a dummy set of instructions and all those tools. The $1500 quote i got required removal of the head (i don't know how much that jacked the price up). of course that quote was from a dealer, i'll try a few other places, there's a porsche/audi speicalist in town, i'll call them (they'll probably be real expensive too). I'd like to try this job myself, but i'm afraid to with my limited amount of experience. Is this something that has to be done by somebody very familiar with audis? the dodge dealership (practically family friends) here does very good work and only charges $65/hour. what would you recommend me do in my situation?

thanks,
matt

 

However not really nessessary if the mechanic is
"good" and a true professional at his craft.

Valve guide seals is a "common" job.

<img src="http://catalog.exist.ru/pic/parts/VAG12441.gif" border="0">

But something I would not recommend to someone who's never done before.

Having Audi experience makes the job less likely to get messed up. The 20V has its quirks, and requirements for such maintenance.

<img src="http://catalog.exist.ru/pic/parts/VAG11433.gif" border="0">

The VW 16V is very simular in design. Ever consider a VW mechanic? Any VW repair places near you?

 

would be tough to undoable in the car.heads would have to come off,and when you take the valve springs off you will see most likely the guides are wiped out[you are probably blowing oil out after sitting overnight]valve seals are of the positive seal type and are pretty durable.valve guides and thin valve stems are more likely

 

sorry,i didn't see it was a 20 valve.job possible in car.would do compression test first,then check engine with vacuum gauge to see if guides were faulty.to do it in the car,remove the cams,use compressed air in cylinders to keep the valves up,remove keepers,springs,etc.

 

There is a way to cut cost. If you feel comfortable with doing work on the engine. You can remove the head yourself and have a machine shop do a valve job. Just to inspect the head is an involved job. If you do decide to do the removal of the head yourself, you must be very organized label EVERYTHING, organize all hardware, and when re-installing torque everything correctly. You need a manual for all torque specs. The job including waiting for the shop to finish the head may take up to two weeks. I removed the head from my car but I never pulled anything from the head. Machine shop services can be very expensive. And I strongly advise getting the bottom of the head shaved because of head warpage. I've seen many head gasket leaks because ppl neglected to do this

 

why have i read that it only takes an hour or too and can be a really cheap job if you find the right mechanic?

 

I've pulled the head, off a 4-cylinder. The 4-cylinder is less involved. One factor is that a machine shop can take a day or two. I'm also assuming that he has a job or goes to school. He's not a machanic and hasn't done the job a hundred times. And I don't care what anybody tells you, can't nobody pull a head, recondition the valves and reassemble in an hour. Go do it on a 20v 5-cylinder and you tell me how long it takes

 

is it worth the money to have them replaced? i don't know, don't know how much longer i'll have this car - 4-5 years maybe. i don't like adding oil all the time or blue smoke, but it's not worth 1500 to me. i'll call a couple more places tomorrow and see what kind of numbers i get.