The ULTIMATE Guide To Replacing Valve Stem Seals The Easy Way 

To be honest best car channel I've ever subscribed to. I think what makes carpassion channel so great is the attention to detail also the way Greg works just appeals to the common back yard mechanic making it look so easy and encouraging pretty much anyone with a wrench to pull their car apart. Thank you so much Greg

Well done! Just one gripe: Just because you have software that lets you add music, doesn't mean you have to add music! It's very annoying when you're talking, and the level is too high. Your content is great -- you can just talk and show things. Music is fine for mechanical montages.

FINALLY A NEW VIDEO Thanks dude. You've singlehandedly taught me more about car anatomy than other channels. You're more in depth than ChrisFix and you showcase what actually matters. Good work dude. You also help with diagnosing problems and you make us understand WHY certain types of maintenance or mods are necessary. Meaning: you teach us the theory, not just the practice. #1 car channel on RU-vid. Thanks again dude.

Huge shoutout to the car passion channel. Just finished the valve seals on my Evo IX. Intimidating job to say the least but “if car passion can do it, you can do it” drove me to take the plunge. Used the Euroexport tool, TOOK MY TIME and everything went well. Thank you!!!

A trick I learned in tech school. Use some trans gel to stick to the end of your flat-blade screwdriver and then stick your keeper onto the trans gel which is on the tip of your screwdriver. Also put a little bit of trans gel onto the tip of your valve stem. Now your keepers wont fly anywhere! Helped me a lot honestly. Just don't go crazy with the trans gel and it should be fine. I didn't use that type of valve compressor though, mine was more of a "vice grip" style. Should work either way, just don't let up ;) Have fun out there!

Greg. When you go to install the retainer put a sheet of plastic wrap between the tool and retainer. That will keep the keepers from flopping about when you compress the spring.

I don't have a miata anymore and I still watch these videos

These are the best edited and most engaging car videos on RU-vid, I'm always blown away by how much I learn. I'm honestly amazed it's only at 71k subs, this is top-tier content up there with ChrisFix. Keep up the good work!

Don't feel too bad Greg. I think anyone who has done this job themselves has had this happen at least once, me included. What I always appreciate watching your channel, your perseverance through the struggles. It seems like you and I have the same kind of luck, no luck...

You just saved me from doing a HG job. Everyone was so sure it was the HG, but then I listened to the symtoms you were having and it's the same issue I was having. I knew it wasn't the HG. I owned a 95 Miata for 6 years. I miss that thing sometimes. Either way great video, can't wait to do my seals on my Eclipse GST.

Finally a video that shows this process on a dohc head with tappets instead of finger lifters. Thanks for the video!

Seeing this was a relief... you had me worried, Greg. If this happens again, you should totally do an update video. It would be easy to do and still get views!

20 minutes of CAR PASSION CHANNEL. This just made my MONTH. >_>

Oh mein...just because you were so honest about messing up with the keepers is why you're getting my subscription

Nice demonstration. I'm doing this on a toyota camry v6. I took one head off 2 years ago to do some valve work. I always keep some spare keepers for this very reason. It's hard enough to find a nut or bolt let alone a valve keeper. Nice video. Love the music.

Hi Greg. Nice video bro. I've done this twice. Once on my 97 Mazda Astina 1.8(lantis, protege, 323f) and once on my 07 Toyota tazz 130 2e. I must admit doing it on the mazda without the right tools is much harder than it is on the Toyota...bcoz of the strength of the springs the mazda valve springs are much harder to compress. I compressed the Toyota springs with my fingers but was very soar after that. I managed to cut a 17/19mm Spark plug socket on the side open and used a extension to compress the springs and it worked great. Gents...one "Very Important" thing I want to mention is: When attempting this, make 100% sure that you clean the bottom around the valve stem because what I found was broken pieces of the older valve stem seals still stuck like a O ring around at the bottom. It can sometimes be difficult to see them. So please make sure before installing new seals to prevent more oil leaks and doing it all over again....All the Best. Thanks Gents

Another great video by Craig Petersburg!

Always watch the ads to support!!

The stuck seal removal method here with the socket is a gem. The precise size is critical. I found a 6 sided impact one was perfect

It’s almost midnight, I’m tired and I’m not planning on replacing my valve stem seals anytime soon.. but hey, let’s watch this video anyway! #notificationsquad

"Sometimes they take 20 seconds, sometimes they take two hours" >6 days later

Wow! You're an excellent E-Teacher/Educator. I'm subscribed now, thank you so much! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Dude best guy to explain everything

great video , proper details and nice to see someone explain how to use a tool rather than assume everyone knows how to use them, like a lot of you tube videos do :)

Hey Greg thanks for doing this for us... My 1.6 has 300k miles and this is due soon so we appreciate it!

"No the autozone spring compressor will not work. Those are meant for big block Ford's and not our small little engines." I have a vehicle with a big Ford V8 and yet still found your video very relevant, engaging, informative and very well put together. You sir have got a new viewer 👌

The Rope method! Man, your are genius! Ton of thanks!

Just to throw two cents worth in; if you lay your keepers curve side down, take a reel small blade screw driver and get just a tad of new grease on the flat side of the blade, you can touch the keeper on the back, it will stick to the screw driver; then with the spring compressed, just set the keeper into place on the valve stem and draw the screw driver out wiping the keeper off onto the valve stem. The grease will hold it in place, place them both and release the compressor. There are of course many methods that work, this is just one that has worked well for me for many years. Nice vid by the way, you took the time, and was all about the job. Thanks!

Yeah boi! been waiting for this!

Excellent trick with the rope! I've been fortunate to have access to a compressor, or I'm having to remove the cylinder head for other reasons. A suggestion, if it can be of some use for anyone. When installing the keepers for the vale stem, take a small flat-head screwdriver (a pocket screwdriver) to which you'll apply a small amount of red grease on the tip. Also, apply a small amount of red grease to the inside and outside of one keeper. Then, take the keeper and smear is on the tip of the screwdriver with it hanging on using the grease. Make sure to face the open end of the keeper away from the screwdriver. Afterwards, press down on the valve spring and place the keeper along the stem. Next, slowly release the pressure being applied the valve spring, the keeper will begin to pinch into place allowing the opportunity to lift the screwdriver up and out. It takes a like practice. Cheers!

Love all this you are in my top 3 YT content creators

The keepers flying or falling into the engine and never to be found again. Very relatable!! When i lost mine I'd nearly cried. Me thinking. I hope they still sell them or I'm screwed!LOL.

nice video bro ,you got a natural talent for this your passion recommande you for this kind of job!

Great video man. I love your informative and thorough presentation. I will be passing on doing this project on our son's college wheels - (my wife's former daily) a 2008 Toyota Highlander that makes white/blue smoke at startup a couple times a week. I've been thinking valve stem seals for some time. But now I realize that it's too big a job to do this for 24 valves, 12 of which are jammed up against the fire wall.

So glad I found this video. I'm doing this on my '91 Mercury Capri which has a head almost identical to yours. I did not know about the straw trick over the valve stem, good tip!

WHHHAAAA! I really don't want to do this but i have to. Thanks for the tutorial man👍

I used the Lisle tool that you hit with a hammer on my BP. Worked like a charm. Too bad I put supertech seals in.

Gave a thumbs up before even watching this video.

love everything you do you are helping me and my little miata everyday until for who knows how long. also I really love the work and unique website you have :D

Very helpful video, thank you! I'm sympathetic to your plight of lost small parts. I probably have half a pound of washers, clips, nuts, etc. that have just vanished somewhere after I've dropped them.

BEST presentation of ANY RU-vid 'auto channel'! Can't say enough good stuff, so won't even try. :^)

2015 Buick Lacrosse V6 100,000 miles. Symptom oil fouled spark plugs causing misfire. Dealer wanted to replace bank one cylinder head stating it had porous casting. If it was porous it would have failed the first 3,000 miles. . googled oil consumption and found common problem with valve stem seals . Thanks for the tips

Heads up to anyone looking to do this job now (after the 5 years) STRONGLY recommend you save yourself the headache and buy the Flyin miata valve compressor tool instead of the one he used in the video, no keepers catapulting into oblivion, no modifications to the tool and generally way way easier to use. Other than the tool the video is still super super helpful and makes the job easier.

I am not fond of the amount of ads in this video but I think this video has illustrated the amount of work AND guess work ahead of me. My vehicle is a volvo 1997 960 and I believe it may have this issue. I have alot of work ahead for this vehicle. Wish me luck...😅

I forgot to plug in o2 sensor on one of the banks. Car didn't want to ignite and came up with engine check light at first on my bmw 120i. Gave me a heart attack until I collected myself and used a odb2 tool to scan and read error. All good now. As soon as I saw the keepers and knew what they are, I ordered 4 extra before I started the job lol. A little trick I learned from other youtuber, just use some grease on the keeps and a flat hear screw driver to push them in place and they should stick.

awesome video. im thinking of replacing my hydraulic lifters on my 1.6 and this kind of gives me the confidence to do the job. unrelated to valve stem seals i know, but still. awesome that you recommend GQMs vids as well. his ITB build is sick!

Greg is one of the funnest RU-vidrs to watch🤘

I am having to do this right now, unfortunately to my 2001 Miata. One of my lifters has failed (going to replace them all of course). But also need to replace my valve stem seals and I really didn't want to pull my head. Thanks to this video I won't have too, just need to get my hands on that tool.

Thank god he's back.

So excited. Wish there was a vid at least once a week

everyone needs to do another 3 youtube accounts so we can get Greg more likes he deserves so much

I felt your anxiety about the keeper flying away on you. My first car (in 1987) was a 1983 Mazda 626 with a simple 2.0 i4. The original owners treated it like garbage. The valve adjusters - manually adjustable - were noisy AF. One ambitious morning, I pulled the valve cover off to investigate. I found the lash adjusters were faceted from possibly never having been adjusted in their 80K miles. So, I decided to pull each adjuster out, so that I could reshape the tips to being convex again. This required removing a lock nut to pull both parts off each rocker arm. Well, this was my first time pulling the valve cover off anything, and I wasn't paying attention to those sneaky oil return funnels in the head... and at one point I mistakenly dropped one of the nuts. I nearly had a heart attack at the ripe old age of 21. I hoped and prayed, and upon closer inspection, I found the nut perilously sitting in the oil return port near the top of the opening. I lucked out that the nut had landed north-south! If it had landed east-west it would have slid to the bottom of the engine. That oil return port was very narrow in depth, so the length of the nut got stuck there. 90° to the right or left and it would have been gone. I still thank my lucky stars on that one. Lesson learned - COVER YOUR OPEN PORTS FOLKS.

Need to do this myself. Your video came at the right moment!

Damn I thought you disappear forever Greg glad to see you posting a video missed you man

Great video. Just did my valve stem seals. Beavis Motorsports had a great tip on using a piece of packing tape to guide the keepers. A+ racing has a great tutorial on the timing belt.

Hey greg, didn't see it mentioned, but the factory springs have to go back in the way they came out. In other words, the springs have a 'top' and bottom'. You can see it in the FSM that the coils per inch differ on the top and bottom.

I’m working on a Contour 2.0l. I found that a 17 mm socket worked perfect for removal and install of the valve seals, the redesign was just a little smaller than factory so it worked out perfect

Wish I would have known about the rope trick before dropping a valve to the bottom of my cylinder because the piston was at BDC instead of TDC... 2 hours, a screwdriver, magnet, and coat hanger later, it was back in place and a valuable lesson had been learned. PS- this was on a 12 valve Cummins, not a VVT. But that still might have been a handy trick.

I magnetized my screwdriver before putting in the keepers. Seems to help.

12:05 Gewd Deal! Werkin on a 1986 F350 6.9L diesel and had trouble gittin the intake valve stem seats on head. Use a socket, gotcha B0$$

Wow Super nice work, Congrats 🎉

Awesome job greg

Great effort Greg. with the vids, its entertaining and informative. I dont even own a miata, but i honestly enjoy the truthful, honest and effective way to do some work at home. i have a 323 mazda, but do some work on it myself, but timing is always a bit of a scary subject for me. i am sure i can use your methods to employ on my cars. love the humor in the vids. keep up the great work

Second to Miata Bill at Miata Roadster's service and their shifter! The best.

Only 310 likes?!! COME ON PEOPLE! Spread the support! Such an underrated channel by far. I feel that I don't even need to mention this :Þ

Your whole channel and work is so good you need a production crew, hey if i was Netflix I'd be making a deal! No mazda sponsorship yet?

keep 'em coming dude!!

Retainer installation can be made easier with the help of a magnet and some type of flexible barrier, I use old latex gloves. Place barrier on retainer, magnet on stem (usually inside the glove to keep magnet from attaching to spring compressor cylinder walls), compress spring. Usually works on first attempt for me

Nice video, I've heard of putting grease around the outer portion of the keepers as an adhesive on assembly.

super helpful video, you're awesome, very much appreciated this

Going to have to do this tomorrow. Super nervous wish me luck Greg!

I dont have a miata but a 07 and 15 mazda3 and would love to change seals on the 07. Great video

Great vid mate,hey just an idea,,i put grease around the valve collets to hold them in place,,,,cheers,,,youtube better then TV😁

Dude! Thanks so much for this guide. Your information is the best! You rock!!

12:54 Get a tube, or a straw, or a length of fish-tank clear tube so you can see, and hold it in place. If you have that length of tube, you could even cut it at an angle. I like this compression tool. I saw a guy use some zip ties on this. I used zip ties once, actually hose clamps, to compress a rear shock on the A-Arm for a replacement on my Z once.

Thanks for all you do!

Excellent. Don't gotta miata but that was good times.

What a great video, just built my Audi s3 motor and its smoking badly, i recon its faulty exhaust valve stem seals. Plugs arent fouling up so i will check which seals are giving me trouble. Thanks for the inspiration.

You are the best! So when my new supertech valve stem seals fail i will fix them asap!!!!!!

@12:51, put some moly grease or vaseline on the retainer and place the keepers outboard of the stem so when you get the retainer pressed under the stem grooves, you just need to slide the locks into the groove. let it up and wipe off the vaseline. It wont hurt the oil. Ive seen people use a piece of pipe and a hammer to just strike the retainer and the locks just pop out.

Hello, thank you very much for the video, very well done and the procedure explained, I will move on with the work. I just have one question, can a 50 liter compressor handle the job?

this has to be the easiest and most secure way of doing this job im so glad i don't have to remove the whole head to this job

I lost a keeper yesterday, spent hours looking for it amongst the stones and in the back of my wagon, no luck... ringing my regular auto store Sat revealed a "can't find out for you till monday as our supplier doesn't work saturdays...". Have to wait and hope that I can get a replacement, for my 01 camry motor...?

This is extremely helpful information.

High school auto mechanics class showed us the tope method. Its the old tried and true.methid. i have done them by aoplying compressed air through the spark plug hole also 👍

FYI the " Lisle 36050 Valve Keeper Remover and Installer Kit" is a much better tool to remove/install retainers. amazingly quick and easy and its $50, they have a single non-kit for $30. It takes like 5 seconds per retainer, install or removal.. Definitely worth adding to a toolset if you do this more than once. FYI its magnetised to prevent what happened to you. Good video though!

Good job, even when i can, i wached your videos, so i have a megasquirt 2 and i am from Brasil. Take Care see you o the next vídeo.

if you break you camshaft, you're gonna have... a bad TIME! get it? no? ok

The quick way is to get yourself a long flat head screwdriver that is magnetic. then you fill the keeper cavity with dab of grease. with screwdriver lower the keeper and push it on to the stem groove then you slide the screw driver upward ( that is the flat head side would rub back of the keeper all the up) the grease causes a suction between the keeper and the valve stem thus keeping it in place.

Just a quick note for anyone on a tight budget I have a super budget Toyota it’s and it was going to cost more than the car cost to repair the valve stem seals, my main symptom was a cloud of smoke after heavy engine braking so to get round the problem I go down big hills in neutral and don’t downshift to engine brake and as long as I run the engine hard or do some motorway miles the engine runs perfectly, they have now been bad for over 25k miles, just keep the oil topped up, I have had not problems with spark plugs or o2 sensors and I don’t have a cat so that helps!

Excellent tutorial video Greg! One suggestion tho - the constant repeated music loop makes it a little difficult to watch for 20 mins

High quality vid, thanks man!

at long last!! You got some of us worried 😅😅

Hey guys, A small trick if you try this. Get a small screwdriver, around a 3mm wide tip, but a long one. put a dab of grease on the end and you can pick the retainers up and they'll stay on your screwdriver. Get them in place and the small amount of grease will "stick" them to the valve itself instead and allow you to move your screwdriver while keeping the keepers in place. Y'all welcome for the hours I just saved you.

Protip for installing keepers if you do not have steady hands / patience. Vaseline and a tiny flathead screwdriver. The Vaseline will allow you to stick the keeper to the end of the screwdriver, but it will not stick so much that you will pull them out with the screwdriver. Plus, Vaseline is a petroleum product so you will not do damage to your motor. After you get one on, you can rotate it around 180° to put the next one on. This in handy when I cammed my 12 valve VR6. Magnets are the worst thing...you might get one keeper in per week but then when you try to put the next one in, you will pull them both out.

You are talented

Maybe you could cut off a piece of round steel bar max 1" long and just loose inside the compressing pipe. After you set the keepers in beside the valve put your new piece of round bar on the top of your set up and apply your usual compression on the diameter of the spring plate and the keepers will be held in place while traveling into position from the presence of the round bar piece on top of them . Withdraw the compressor pipe and pick up the round bar piece and do the next one. Thanks for the good Video.

Incredibly helpful video - thanks man 👍 👍

I never like Mazda, but, hey, professional job done and shown.

Use the compressed air method and put some grease on the keepers, it makes it go a lot smoother...