I checked and adjusted the valves on a B230FT this week. Two valve shims needed changing, and I also installed new rubber hushers. The rubber hushers fit into the top of the valve keeper and under the valve depressor. As long as I am changing the valve hushers, it isn't much more work to do the valve guide seals, and then you have a complete job. Only the intake valves have guide seals on these engines. The picture below shows some the special tools I used. The valve compressor is left over from VW days, and it works well on the Volvo heads by squeezing the fingers together. The air fitting for using compressed air to hold the valve shut is made from an old spark plug and a male quick disconnect air fitting. The tool that looks like a screwdriver with a hook is a Craftsman Cotter Pin Removal Tool, and I use it to remove the old seals.



The next picture shows depressiing the valve spring. I am using compressed air to hold the valve shut. Usually you have the bounce the valve compressor a few times to get the keepers to unstick from the valve retainer.



The picture belwo shows using a magnetic pick up tool to pick the keepers out of the valve retainer without dropping them. You could use some needle nose pliers, but the magnetic pick up tool works best for me.



If you haven't done this job before you might want to check the seated depth of the seal be measuring from its top to the end of the valve stem. You want the seals fully installed. I had a machine shop not fully seat the valve guide seals on an engine once. All the seals came up in 50 miles. You never saw so much smoke!



The picture below shows using the cotter pin removal tool to remove an old seal.



This picture shows using a 12mm deep socket as an install tool for the seal. The socket works well for this, but make sure that the little spring on the top of the seal sits up inside the socket. You don't want the rim of the socket pressing on the spring at the top of the seal. Volvo sells a special tool for this, but I don't have one. Sometimes the valve guide seals are supplied with a little protective sleeve to help keep from damaging the seal on the grooves in the top of the valve. The grooves aren't too sharp, and I use a little grease or motor oil to help the seal over the top of the valve. Push the seal carefully over the top of the valve stem.



This picture shows using the valve compression tool to press the seal over the top of the valve guide. You can also push them on by hand. If you use the tool, feel what you are doing and quit when resistance gets high. You don't want to over do it and damage the seal. Don't forget to check the distance from the top of the seal to the end of the valve to insure the seal is fully installed.


Now it is time to put it back together.