OEM Dodge Stratus Valve Stem Seal

Dodge Stratus Valve Stem Seal Parts and Q&A

• Valve Seals
  4648619
  Q: How to Service and Repair a Valve Stem Seal on Dodge Stratus?

  A:

  Before servicing or replacing the valve stem seal, pull the rocker arm shaft assembly out and rotate the Crankshaft until the Piston is at top dead center on the compression stroke. Use an air inflator, connect its hose to the installed tool on the spark plug and pressure the air to about 90 - 120 psi. With the MD-998772A Special Tool and adapter 6779, compress the springs, remove the locks and take out the spring. You should remove the valve stem seal with a special tool meant for the job. To fit the valve seal/valve spring seat assembly, press the valve springs into position with Special Tool MD-998772A only enough to secure the locks and keep both valve stems and pistons in place at idling point. Rocker arm shaft assemblies should be reinstalled along with the cylinder head cover last.
• Valve Seals
  MD307342
  Q: How to Replace a Valve Stem Seal with the Cylinder Head Removed on Dodge Stratus?

  A:

  For this process, with the cylinder head removed from the cylinder block, first gently press all valve springs with a universal valve spring compressor. This will allow you to eliminate the valve retaining locks, valve spring retainers, valve stem seals and the valve springs. It is important to smooth down any burrs from the valve stem lock spots, check the tags on the assemblies and set aside the valves, locks and retainers to be installed again where they were initially. Inspect the valves and each time you remove them for inspection, reconditioning or replacement, test their spring tension against the standards of 76 lbs. @ 38.0 mm (1.50 in.) for closed tension and 136 lbs. @ 29.75 mm (1.17 in.) for open tension. Examine each valve spring with a steel square and surface plate from the center and from each end; replace it if it's out of square by more than 1.5 mm (1/16 in.). When installing, grease the valve stems with clean engine oil, insert them into the cylinder head and position new valve stem seals over each valve stem using the proper tool. To avoid wearing down the guide by a lot, use valve seals that are designed for larger valves. You should now put in the valve springs and retainers, just enough to install the locks, with the compression aiming straight so you don't accidentally nick the valves. Ensure that both safeties are in place after you have used the valve spring compressor. After refacing your valve and seat, measure between the top of the spring seat and the bottom of its retainer; if the measurement is above 38.75 mm (1.525 in.), place a 0.762 mm (0.030 in.) spacer under the spring seat.