Valve removal

[Sailor Ron]

Head and valve cover have been removed on my 1980 A4 that I can do valve repair job. One of the valves is stuck and others probably should be reseated as compression is low.

Can I remove the valves with the exhaust manifold in place? I see a valve spring removal tool on MM catalogue but unlikely it will reach with manifold in place. Any other way to remove the retainer clips?
Ron

[Loki9]

It might be possible to remove them with the manifold in place, but I think it will be impossible to put them back in.

One tip: before you remove the keepers, block the oil drain holes with a rag or paper towel. The keepers can and will fall through those holes into the oil pan. Don't ask me how I know

[ILikeRust]

Can I remove the valves with the exhaust manifold in place?

If you had very thin, stretchy and strong fingers like Plastic Man, maybe. But for us mere mortals, I think you'll find the going much easier if you get the manifold out of your way first.

[Bold Rascal]

Oh yeah, done that...

Welcome to the forum Ron.
I can appreciatte your not wanting to remove the manifold. If that's all you have to remove to get to your valves your very fortunate.

I had to pull the entire engine first, and then the manifold. It did require more than a few extra hours but sure saved on my back, neck and frustration levels.

Good tip for you to plug those valve chamber oil drain holes first thing after getting that cover plate off.

Mike

[thatch]

"Valve removal'

Hi Ron,
Removing the valves (much less trying to reinstall them) without removing the manifold is next to impossible. Before doing anything else, start soaking the offending valve stem with Kroil or PB Blaster. Kroil is only available on the internet so don't bother to look in stores. Depending on how far the valve is stuck open will determine if the spring can be collapsed enough to remove the keepers. I would definately give the oil soaking and an occasional light tapping on the center of that valve with a wooden dowell and hammer before doing anything drastic. Both the valves and guides are steel and are quite prone to sticking but there is usually enough clearance between them for penetrating oil to loosten them up. A small engine valve spring compressor, like the one Moyer sells, is the right tool for the job.
Tom

[sastanley]

Ron, I had sticky valves (my motor has been drowned a few times prior to my ownership) and I was able to free them up with MMO squirted into the cylinders, similar to Tom's approach. If you can get it to free up with a penetrating oil, you might be able to lube the guides with MMO. For about 3 or 4 months, I squirted MMO in religiously after every use and then it it sit with MMO in between runs & it eventually popped free. Mine was never stuck wide open to the point I was losing an entire cylinder though.

YMMV