Valve Stem Seals?

So, my problem is that when the car is idling for long periods (for instance in the red light) and then take off I have a "cloud" of blue smoke in the tailpipe and my first guess are the valve seals and from what I have read about these engines (L67 series II) is that they are prone to exhaust valve seals failure. I suspect this is the problem as I have the SES light on with a code (not sure which on was it) about the catalyc converter and on the description stated something about burning oil due to worn piston rings and/or valve seals among other possible problems.

My question here to you guys is: what is the process/procedure on changing the valve seals? what is involve as far as "special" tools? and what parts/gaskets are replaced?

I know the primary ones are the valve seals itself but probably valve seats or something like that that I'm not aware of.

I'm planing on doing this job by fall but I want to get prepared

Thank you.

I've never heard of the L67 being prone to valve seal problems. Mine doesn't burn any oil between changes at all at 139,000 miles, and I never see any smoke at all, even when I nail it.

If for any reason, the drain back holes in the cylinder head are blocked, you will get smoking from that. Years ago, I changed valve cover gaskets on my Buick 350. I had to scrape the old gasket off, and I wasn't thorough in cleaning the old gasket material out of the head. The gasket material ended up in the drain back holes. Oil was sitting up in the head, and the car would smoke at idle, and puff blue smoke when I took off. Something to check anyway.

In any case, to change valve seals, you need to compress each valve spring and remove the keepers. Then remove the spring and change the seal. It's a good idea to bring the piston up to TDC on the cylinder you are working on. You can also hold the valve up with compressed air.

If the valve guides are really worn, you'll need a machine shop to do the heads. You would likely see that on a vacuum gauge though.

I was saying so because I found this Service Bulletin browsing on the web, so I thought that might be the problem that I have, and well I think it seems to be not that complicated I can find those seals in rockauto.com but like a mentioned would that be a problem if I leave it like that until November-December, I mean will it cause any further damage other than oil consumption?

wrote:

Here is a TSB (technical service bulletin) addressing that issue. The oldest model year listed is 2005 but note that the Series II 3800 is included.

#05-06-01-035A: L26, L32, L36, L67 Excessive Oil Consumption (Replace Exhaust Valve Stem Seals) - (Oct 2, 2007)

View Full Image
Subject: L26, L32, L36, L67 Excessive Oil Consumption (Replace Exhaust Valve Stem Seals)
Models: 2005 Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue
2005-2008 Buick Allure (Canada Only), LaCrosse
2006-2008 Buick Lucerne
2005 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo
2005 Pontiac Bonneville
2005-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
with 3800 Series II, III V6 Engine (VINs 2, 4, K, 1 -- RPOs L26, L32, L36, L67)

This bulletin is being revised to update the model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 05-06-01-035 (Section 06 -- Engine/Propulsion System).
Condition

Some customers may comment on excessive oil consumption on 3800 Series II and Series III engines. An engine that has excessive oil consumption uses 0.9L (1 qt) of oil or more within 3 200 km (2,000 mi).
Cause

This condition may be caused by the retaining ring on the exhaust valve stem seal not securely holding the seal on the cylinder head boss. If this occurs, the exhaust valve stem seal(s) may move off the cylinder head boss and no longer provide a sealing function between the exhaust valve stem and the valve guide.
Correction

Inspection and/or Replacement of Exhaust Valve Stem Seals
Follow the appropriate Service Information for the vehicle you are working on to gain access to cylinder head exhaust valves on both cylinder banks. Remove the engine valve rocker arm covers, the exhaust rocker arms and the exhaust valve springs.
Notice: Oversize valve stem seals are available. Make sure the correct valve stem seals are installed. An OIL CONSUMPTION concern can be created by installing the oversize valve stem seals. The oversize valve stem seals are marked black in color and are NOT to be used UNLESS installing valves with oversize valve stems.
Notice: There are 2 different valve stem seals used - one for exhaust valves and one for intake valves. Exhaust valve stem seals are green in color and have "EX" molded into the top of the seal. Intake valve stem seals are blue in color and have "IN" molded into the top of the seal. Using the wrong seal on a exhaust or intake valve can also contribute to oil consumption. The correct seal usage should be verified while checking for correctly seated exhaust valve stem seals.

(1) Correctly Installed Exhaust Valve Stem Seal
(2) Incorrectly Installed Exhaust Stem Seal (the seal is not seated on the valve guide and the cylinder head boss.)
Carefully inspect each exhaust valve stem seal for engagement on the exhaust valve guide (refer to the previous illustration). If one or more exhaust valve seals is found to be incorrectly installed, replace all the exhaust valve seals.
If no trouble is found with the exhaust valve seal seating or usage, refer to the service manual Oil Consumption Diagnosis to investigate other sources of oil consumption.
Parts Information

Part Number
Description
88891775
*Seal, Exhaust Valve
*Exhaust valve seals are five seals to a package. An additional package will be needed so all six exhaust valve seals are replaced.

If you can afford it let a machine shop. do the work and have the heads machined while youre in there.its alot of work and its one of those " might as well" things ya know..

do you kbnow a good machine shop in your area?

FYI, I only paid around $100 to have my heads Magnafluxed, valve seats reconditioned, seals replaced and my new springs/retainers installed. Of course that doesn't include the cost of new head gaskets.

rk0ehn wrote:

I was saying so because I found this Service Bulletin browsing on the web, so I thought that might be the problem that I have, and well I think it seems to be not that complicated I can find those seals in rockauto.com but like a mentioned would that be a problem if I leave it like that until November-December, I mean will it cause any further damage other than oil consumption?

wrote:

Here is a TSB (technical service bulletin) addressing that issue. The oldest model year listed is 2005 but note that the Series II 3800 is included.

#05-06-01-035A: L26, L32, L36, L67 Excessive Oil Consumption (Replace Exhaust Valve Stem Seals) - (Oct 2, 2007)

View Full Image
Subject: L26, L32, L36, L67 Excessive Oil Consumption (Replace Exhaust Valve Stem Seals)
Models: 2005 Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue
2005-2008 Buick Allure (Canada Only), LaCrosse
2006-2008 Buick Lucerne
2005 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo
2005 Pontiac Bonneville
2005-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
with 3800 Series II, III V6 Engine (VINs 2, 4, K, 1 -- RPOs L26, L32, L36, L67)

This bulletin is being revised to update the model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 05-06-01-035 (Section 06 -- Engine/Propulsion System).
Condition

Some customers may comment on excessive oil consumption on 3800 Series II and Series III engines. An engine that has excessive oil consumption uses 0.9L (1 qt) of oil or more within 3 200 km (2,000 mi).
Cause

This condition may be caused by the retaining ring on the exhaust valve stem seal not securely holding the seal on the cylinder head boss. If this occurs, the exhaust valve stem seal(s) may move off the cylinder head boss and no longer provide a sealing function between the exhaust valve stem and the valve guide.
Correction

Inspection and/or Replacement of Exhaust Valve Stem Seals
Follow the appropriate Service Information for the vehicle you are working on to gain access to cylinder head exhaust valves on both cylinder banks. Remove the engine valve rocker arm covers, the exhaust rocker arms and the exhaust valve springs.
Notice: Oversize valve stem seals are available. Make sure the correct valve stem seals are installed. An OIL CONSUMPTION concern can be created by installing the oversize valve stem seals. The oversize valve stem seals are marked black in color and are NOT to be used UNLESS installing valves with oversize valve stems.
Notice: There are 2 different valve stem seals used - one for exhaust valves and one for intake valves. Exhaust valve stem seals are green in color and have "EX" molded into the top of the seal. Intake valve stem seals are blue in color and have "IN" molded into the top of the seal. Using the wrong seal on a exhaust or intake valve can also contribute to oil consumption. The correct seal usage should be verified while checking for correctly seated exhaust valve stem seals.

(1) Correctly Installed Exhaust Valve Stem Seal
(2) Incorrectly Installed Exhaust Stem Seal (the seal is not seated on the valve guide and the cylinder head boss.)
Carefully inspect each exhaust valve stem seal for engagement on the exhaust valve guide (refer to the previous illustration). If one or more exhaust valve seals is found to be incorrectly installed, replace all the exhaust valve seals.
If no trouble is found with the exhaust valve seal seating or usage, refer to the service manual Oil Consumption Diagnosis to investigate other sources of oil consumption.
Parts Information

Part Number
Description
88891775
*Seal, Exhaust Valve
*Exhaust valve seals are five seals to a package. An additional package will be needed so all six exhaust valve seals are replaced.

2005-2008 models affected. I wouldn't even think that applies to our Rivieras at all. If it did, they would have included 1995-2004 3800 engines. My 98 has been excellent as far as oil consumption.

Yes robo, I was thinking about it too you know leave it to the machine shop, but until a really take a look into the valvetrain and see it's condition I would consider taking it to the machine shop. I know there is one here nearby El Paso, TX that back when I had a Jetta 89' 2.0 they reconditioned the heads for 85 bucks excluding the parts, it was pretty much the same job: valve seals and valve seats, but i'm not sure how much will it be for the 3800 heads.

Because of this matter I will first try changing the seals by myself to "fix" the problem due to it's low cost, I might just spend about $100.00 dlls including gaskets and other materials.

LARRY70GS wrote:

2005-2008 models affected. I wouldn't even think that applies to our Rivieras at all. If it did, they would have included 1995-2004 3800 engines. My 98 has been excellent as far as oil consumption.

What it did concern me was that it stated for 3800 series II

imo,it dont make sense to pull the heads and not have them redone.At least its what the experts say,regardless of the heads condition. You probably wont have to worry about the heads for years to come....

rk0ehn wrote:

LARRY70GS wrote:

2005-2008 models affected. I wouldn't even think that applies to our Rivieras at all. If it did, they would have included 1995-2004 3800 engines. My 98 has been excellent as far as oil consumption.

What it did concern me was that it stated for 3800 series II

I can't imagine why. I'm not concerned even a bit. You have a lot of miles on that engine. Have you owned it from new? If not, did you know who owned it before, and was it properly maintained? Some people think oil changes are optional. If the engine wasn't maintained, it may just be worn. In that case, you either need to get a replacement engine, or rebuild what you have. First step is to have a peak under the valve covers. If it is all sludged up, it may be worn from inadequate maintenance. I've been a member of this board for awhile now. This is the first thread I've seen concerning oil consumption or smoking. That tells me it isn't a common issue with our 3800 engines. As far as I'm concerned, that TSB is irrelevant to my engine, and to yours. So why are you having problems with your engine? Got to do a little investigating I'd say.