HDJ81 vacle stem seals

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Nov 1, 2021
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Location
Georgia
My 1992 hdj81 started smoking at idle, I thought maybe the injectors were going but when I took it into the shop they said it was the valve stem seals. I was quoted 9.5k todo the repair. This seems pretty steep, am I wrong? Also anyone know a shop that would do this work near the Atlanta area?
 
before you dig into a massive amount of work there are more than 1 thing that can cause smoke at idle

whats the mileage/kilometers?
when were the injectors serviced?
does the pcv system have oil in it?
Does the turbo show signs of oil leakage?
 
before you dig into a massive amount of work there are more than 1 thing that can cause smoke at idle

whats the mileage/kilometers?
when were the injectors serviced?
does the pcv system have oil in it?
Does the turbo show signs of oil leakage?
85k kilometers. Only thing serviced on it has been a timing belt at 30k but it's almost 10 years old so I have that ordered to replace. I was expecting injectors needing rebuilt or maybe my timing on the pump because I have a slight haze from exhaust and vibration at idle. They did mention a slight leak on the intake manifold. I'll ask/ check about the pcv system tomorrow when I pick it up. Looking for another shop because they do not seem as trustworthy just from the pricing they have stated and also offering to buy it from me for the price of repairs. 3k for brakes and rotors 4.6k for injectors and 9.5k for valve seals.
 
My 1992 hdj81 started smoking at idle, I thought maybe the injectors were going but when I took it into the shop they said it was the valve stem seals. I was quoted 9.5k todo the repair. This seems pretty steep, am I wrong? Also anyone know a shop that would do this work near the Atlanta area?

Is it smoking at Idle or when accelerating after idling? If while idling look for something other than valve stem seals. If you get a good sized cloud when accelerating from a traffic signal then it would most likely be the stem seals.

Looking for another shop because they do not seem as trustworthy just from the pricing they have stated and also offering to buy it from me for the price of repairs. 3k for brakes and rotors 4.6k for injectors and 9.5k for valve seals.
What is the value or price you paid for the vehicle and what condition is it in? Even with those over inflated repair estimates are they really offering you $17K?
Just points to how they are trying to screw you on both ends of any transaction.

It also points out why you need to do at least some of those repairs yourself. Its not difficult to brakes and rotors just a bit messy and time consuming but you could save 2000 to 2500.
 
Is it smoking at Idle or when accelerating after idling? If while idling look for something other than valve stem seals. If you get a good sized cloud when accelerating from a traffic signal then it would most likely be the stem seals.


What is the value or price you paid for the vehicle and what condition is it in? Even with those over inflated repair estimates are they really offering you $17K?
Just points to how they are trying to screw you on both ends of any transaction.

It also points out why you need to do at least some of those repairs yourself. Its not difficult to brakes and rotors just a bit messy and time consuming but you could save 2000 to 2500.
Yea the brakes and rotors I would do myself. Kinda a pain hunting down the rear rotors since mines a 92. They just added that on there but honestly I need at least new pads while I wait for finding rotors and getting them shipped. I only get a haze at idle. I can't see anything while I'm accelerating or already going. I could have the wife follow me to get a better view but even putting it in neutral and giving it some rpms the haze stops. Even 50 rpms higher stops the vibration from idle.
 
Likely, they are thinking of pulling the head off. Still very high quote.
You can do the valve seals with the head still on the block. Look at my signature for the HDJ80 thread. I did them.
Took me awhile to find the breakdown on you doing that. Congrats on how your rig came along. You are defintely more skilled then me with all the work you did to it. I havent done much work at that level. Mainly just replacing parts like alternators, radiators or ive done timing belt & water pump. So I'm pretty intimidated to try it, the fear of dropping one in and for sure having take the head off would be a bummer. Would you be able to break it down in a more step by step process for someone whose never done that before? Or is this a known way of doing valve seals by good mechanics and I just found the wrong one?
 
Yea the brakes and rotors I would do myself. Kinda a pain hunting down the rear rotors since mines a 92. They just added that on there but honestly I need at least new pads while I wait for finding rotors and getting them shipped. I only get a haze at idle. I can't see anything while I'm accelerating or already going. I could have the wife follow me to get a better view but even putting it in neutral and giving it some rpms the haze stops. Even 50 rpms higher stops the vibration from idle.


Fronts or rear?
Fronts, just go 97 lx450
Rears, I got mine from Australia.
 
Fronts or rear?
Fronts, just go 97 lx450
Rears, I got mine from Australia.
Rear, was gonna do the conversion but new backing plates are 750 each from toyota. Got a link from where you got yours?
 
3k for brakes and rotors 4.6k for injectors and 9.5k for valve seals.


:oops: :oops: :oops:. that sounds like the we dont want to do the job price, for 9.5k you could probably rebuild the engine yourself. if your worries about dropping a valve you can rotate each piston up to tdc and use the tool to pressurize the cylinder to keep the valves shut
 
On a diesel certain injector/timing/ air in the fuel/ low compression issues can make a blue smoke that looks just like oil blue smoke. If you have original valve stem seals it's prob a good idea to change them out but you could have another issue too. Did they remove the intake and exhaust manifold and put a camera in there to watch oil leak down the valve? the valve steam oil leaks usually only cause noticeable smoke at first start. how much oil are you adding between oil changes?
 

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