Replacing Valve guide oil seals

**quarryman** · 12 Aug 08, 10:32 AM

Right, my oil smoke saga continues. I have picked up the parts i need from Ducati Manchester - 2x valve seals, and 2x valve exhaust seals (green ones). I also got four cam inspection cover gaskets as well. So, the next phase can begin.

I am intending to proceed as follows and would appreciate pointers from anyone who has done this before

remove fairings and tank.
paddock stand the front, jack under the sump (on level ground of course)
remove rear suspension.
remove cam rocker covers (noting which one came from where)
grip top of valve stem
remove retaining clip on rockers to allow them to slide to one side
using magneting puller / grip slide off (hopefully knackered) old seals and replace with new ones
put bike back together and rejoice in my smokeless ducati.

Sure I have missed some vital parts out, any ideas?

**998gsb** · 12 Aug 08, 10:05 PM

you've missed the bit where something slips / breaks / rounds off / disappears down a hole to side of the cams....and where you then retire with a mug of tea and smoke to consider why even the most straight forward of tasks can turn in to a bloody mare!!! LOL

**Ghost** · 12 Aug 08, 10:11 PM

Remove the belts and get the piston down the bore on the checking cylinder as you want the valve closed. Its a good game when one knows what ones doing, but for the first time, very daunting. I'll look out for the next post at the weekend ish.

**quarryman** · 14 Aug 08, 07:30 PM

eeek. I was hoping to do that by removing the plugs and rotating the wheel to get the piston to move - do i have to remove the belts?

**Ghost** · 14 Aug 08, 09:27 PM

Yes as you need to feel the rockers on the cam to ensure no binding. Its not difficult but for a first time will be daunting. But you need those belts off.

**nelly** · 14 Aug 08, 09:42 PM

The stem seals are fiddly at the best of times. Leaving the closing rockers in situ is going to make it even more so.

**quarryman** · 15 Aug 08, 10:09 AM

uh oh, you guys are starting to make me feel nervous about this........
I thought removing the rocker retaining clip (might) solve this.
curses to mr Haynes! He makes it all look so easy.

Still, there is only one way to learn, without having an in house ducati mechanic to learn from......

Wish me luck, I'm going in tomorrow morning.

**MarkST** · 15 Aug 08, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quarryman

curses to mr Haynes!

Do you have the freely downloadable workshop manual too ?
900ss workshop manual

**quarryman** · 15 Aug 08, 10:32 AM

Yup, cheers MarkST.

**Ghost** · 15 Aug 08, 11:43 AM

[quote=quarryman;220971]
Wish me luck, I'm going in tomorrow morning.[/quote]

Its a helluva job but someones got to do it.

**Masher** · 15 Aug 08, 12:16 PM

Must admit I would be inlined to chicken out without the belt alignment tools, I know it can be done without but why make life harder than it already is!

**quarryman** · 16 Aug 08, 05:54 PM

Holy crap
Now that is the filldiest and most nightmarish job i have EVER tried to do........
Got down to it this morning, stripped the fairings / battery etc.
Got as far as the valve stems on the horizontal cylinder. Took me TWO HOURS to get the rubber off, and the new exhaust seal on (killer lying on your back trying that one!).
Have put it all back together in the hope that it was only that valve that was suspect (hope hope) as I really dont want to have to do that again!!!
Checked the valves for play and they were still nice and snug with the guides so was pleased at that at least...

No wonder the garage charge a fortune for that job - it must take all day!
The worst bit has to be holding the valve closer rocker in enough to get the split ring back on the stem - I've never sworn so much in my life!

Mind you - to those who said you need to take the cambelts off, this seems uneccessary as all i did was take the plugs out, put it in gear and wheel the back wheel round with my foot - seemed to do the trick!

**quarryman** · 17 Aug 08, 06:49 PM

One down, still smoking. Have just done one more, and i can safely say that I am NOT going to do any more for now! These seals are IMPOSSIBLE to fit take it from someone who has been chasing oil seals all afternoon!!!!
So, if we still have smoke, then I am going to leave the last two for a while.

Ended up making a handy tool out of wood to keep the return spring down as that is the most difficult part of the operation.

Phew. I am knackered and need a beer.

**Ghost** · 17 Aug 08, 07:45 PM

I seem to recall that you were advised that, it is easier to drop the engine and do it on the bench. Whilst at that stage you would remove the heads, lap in the valves, prob have it all done in less time that you have been messing and not achieved the result you were hoping for.

But all good experience.

**Mr.R** · 17 Aug 08, 08:26 PM

+1 for what Ghost has said, I wouldn't try to do this job with the motor in the frame, or at least the heads on the bench, I don't know if you can get the heads off with the motor still in situ' on this motor.
Get the heads off lap the valves and reshim it while your at it.
Rolling about on the floor or crawling around on your knees, you need your bumps felt!
I've got a hydraulic lift/bench and I still wouldn't attempt this job in situ.
I doubt any bike workshop would either.

Steve R