Cost to Replace Valve Stem Seals on '01 XLT

[NorCal_XLT]

Hey everyone, I've been looking for Explorer info on the web. This site is great, hopefully one of you has some experience with this issue.


I have a 2001 Explorer XLT, ~109k, and I recently found out it makes the well known white smoke when I start it up. Valve stem seals are done, right? It accelerates fine, but I have no idea how long it's been making the smoke since I don't really check that kind of thing very often.

My question is this: assuming it is the valve stem seals that need to be replaced, what's a rough estimate for the cost of getting the work done at an independant shop? I spoke with a friend who works on German cars and he said about $3,000.

Thanks for any help you can provide, and I'm looking forward to being a part of this board!

 

[dogfriend]

Valve stem seals usually = blue smoke

White smoke often = coolant burning. Coolant burning sometimes = head gasket failure.

I would look closely at the coolant and the oil. Coolant that looks oily or foamy = bad news. Oil with coolant in it = really bad news.

 

[NorCal_XLT]

Valve stem seals usually = blue smoke

White smoke often = coolant burning. Coolant burning sometimes = head gasket failure.

I would look closely at the coolant and the oil. Coolant that looks oily or foamy = bad news. Oil with coolant in it = really bad news.

I see, so any idea what that will set me back at an independant shop? I'm not up to doing the repair myself, so I'd like to know how much to budget for getting it fixed up. Thanks!

 

[dogfriend]

Replacing a head gasket would be more labor than replacing valve guide seals, so it would be more money. You really need to determine what is going on first - it is not possible for me to tell you for sure what the problem is. First, look at the coolant and oil and look for any evidence of mixing of oil and coolant - that is a sure sign of a head gasket problem or a cracked head. Another test that would give more info would be a compression test - that would tell you if there is leakage between cylinders (another sign of a head gasket problem) or not. If it is valve guide seals, you won't see coolant / oil mixing or compression problems.

 

[my98nnj]

You do realize that white smoke during cold engine operation is perfectly normal?
It's condensation which is a by-product of combustion, normally seen at the tail pipe until the engine and exhaust system get up to temperature.

Have a mechanic take a look at your "smoke" before you do anything.
Chances are there might not be anything wrong with your truck.

 

[NorCal_XLT]

You do realize that white smoke during cold engine operation is perfectly normal?
It's condensation which is a by-product of combustion, normally seen at the tail pipe until the engine and exhaust system get up to temperature.

Have a mechanic take a look at your "smoke" before you do anything.
Chances are there might not be anything wrong with your truck.

Ha, yeah I have a lot of experience with German cars that do this. The only thing is, my Explorer has never made any smoke when I started it (that I noticed) until now.

Today was pretty distressing, when I started it up it created a HUGE cloud of white smoke. I mean, there was no missing this. I thought the engine was blown. After a minute it stopped. Anyone know if this is the valve stems or the head gasket? Also I checked and the coolant level was low, so maybe it is burning coolant. I'm not sure.

Oh and the newest development is that when I start accelerating from a stop, at around 900-1100 rpm (basically when the tach needle is just about pointing at the "1") the car shudders very noticeably. Anyone know if this is a separate or related issue?

I got a quote of $1,900 from an independant to swap the seals, redo the gaskets, and put in a new water pump. Anyone know if this is a good deal or not?

Sorry for the million questions, any input is very appreciated.

 

[safn1949]

Look at it this way,new motor from Jasper is $3146 for the 4.0 or $2373 for the 5.0. Ouch,I paid $3000 for my 2000 XLT 5.0.

 

[BobWiersema]

3K for valve stem seals? 2k for head gaskets? Ill fly out to CA and do it and buy you dinner and drinks for a week for that kind of money. Seriously, sounds like a bad head gasket. What engine is it. Both are easy jobs unless its a SOHC engine, then you got a lot more work.

Bob

 

[NorCal_XLT]

3K for valve stem seals? 2k for head gaskets? Ill fly out to CA and do it and buy you dinner and drinks for a week for that kind of money. Seriously, sounds like a bad head gasket. What engine is it. Both are easy jobs unless its a SOHC engine, then you got a lot more work.

Bob

Aww man, it is the SOHC! Thanks for the offer though.

 

[NorCal_XLT]

Look at it this way,new motor from Jasper is $3146 for the 4.0 or $2373 for the 5.0. Ouch,I paid $3000 for my 2000 XLT 5.0.

Well the guys at the independant shop think it's the head gasket or the seals, both of which get replaced for 1900 + tax. I checked the oil cap and there's no sign of foam or anything besides the oil, so that indicates the seals more than the gasket, right?

White smoke at start up, shudders at ~1000 rpm, no coolant in the oil, and a coolant level that seems to be dropping. If the shop does this work both potential problems get fixed, so I should be good, right? There's no smoke when it's running and it accelerates fine, so I'm praying the piston rings aren't on the way out.

 

[dogfriend]

If the coolant level is dropping, it is either leaking somewhere, or it is burning coolant. Burning coolant means the head gasket has failed, or the head is cracked somewhere. When they remove the head(s) to do the head gasket, it will be obvious where the head gasket leak is. If not, have the head pressure tested by a machine shop to make sure it isn't cracked somewhere.

 

[safn1949]

If the coolant level is dropping, it is either leaking somewhere, or it is burning coolant. Burning coolant means the head gasket has failed, or the head is cracked somewhere. When they remove the head(s) to do the head gasket, it will be obvious where the head gasket leak is. If not, have the head pressure tested by a machine shop to make sure it isn't cracked somewhere.

Absolutely have the heads checked anyway,it would really suck to put it back together and still have a problem because they missed a tiny crack.