How to STOP your Engine from Smoking (How to Replace Valve Seals)
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Date: 2026-09-04
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Comments and reviews: 20
AB_219-i5q
got a 2003 crv (auto) with some problems, anychance the man himself could give an idea
the engine is mechanically sound, the problems arise with the transmission, if you are able to get the car to drive it will for maybe 500 meters and then it’ll go into neutral / limp mode and you won’t be able to get out of it with ought turning off and jumping the car, the one thing I did was replace the transmission shift solenoids but that didn’t help. Other issues, the battery doesn’t hold charge, tires go flat, moody interior because they left the sunroof open while it was sitting, I did run a code reader and it only read a P0780 code that I got rid of with replacing the transmission shift solenoids, and then a P1077, which isn’t necessary to get the car running but worth mentioning.
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got a 2003 crv (auto) with some problems, anychance the man himself could give an idea
the engine is mechanically sound, the problems arise with the transmission, if you are able to get the car to drive it will for maybe 500 meters and then it’ll go into neutral / limp mode and you won’t be able to get out of it with ought turning off and jumping the car, the one thing I did was replace the transmission shift solenoids but that didn’t help. Other issues, the battery doesn’t hold charge, tires go flat, moody interior because they left the sunroof open while it was sitting, I did run a code reader and it only read a P0780 code that I got rid of with replacing the transmission shift solenoids, and then a P1077, which isn’t necessary to get the car running but worth mentioning.
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AquariusTurtle
Excellent video in every way. production quality, explanations, technical accuracy. A few notes:
- Use the markings also to find/verify top dead center.
- Cover up the timing belt cover area since you had to remove the valve cover. Keepers will go in there and removing the lower timing belt cover is very difficult to do compared to the original job.
- If using rope, be careful compressing the rope into the cylinder walls. You'll need a boroscope and articulating grapplers to get any strings out that detached from the rope.
- If a valve partially falls, you can use a telescoping magnetic retriever tool. Just make sure you find one small enough to fit in the valve holes. You can use that to pull a valve that didn't completely fall in.
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Excellent video in every way. production quality, explanations, technical accuracy. A few notes:
- Use the markings also to find/verify top dead center.
- Cover up the timing belt cover area since you had to remove the valve cover. Keepers will go in there and removing the lower timing belt cover is very difficult to do compared to the original job.
- If using rope, be careful compressing the rope into the cylinder walls. You'll need a boroscope and articulating grapplers to get any strings out that detached from the rope.
- If a valve partially falls, you can use a telescoping magnetic retriever tool. Just make sure you find one small enough to fit in the valve holes. You can use that to pull a valve that didn't completely fall in.
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ReelzLucky
Maybe someone can help me. I have a toyota matrix. Its a 2019 I believe. The hood cable rusted about half way and snapped. I lifted the car and went under to try to reach up and grab the black cable wire woth some pliers. I pulled on it as hard as I could to try and pop the hood open but nothing. I even had my brother in law help and he tried while I tried pulling the hood, etc and nothing. Would anyway be able to give any other suggestions that I could try There a metal bracket in front of the locking system so I can see or reach for anything behind it to try and pop the latch. I don't know what else I can do.
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Maybe someone can help me. I have a toyota matrix. Its a 2019 I believe. The hood cable rusted about half way and snapped. I lifted the car and went under to try to reach up and grab the black cable wire woth some pliers. I pulled on it as hard as I could to try and pop the hood open but nothing. I even had my brother in law help and he tried while I tried pulling the hood, etc and nothing. Would anyway be able to give any other suggestions that I could try There a metal bracket in front of the locking system so I can see or reach for anything behind it to try and pop the latch. I don't know what else I can do.
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GambitCoach
I have the same issue for last three years and to every mechanic I visited had suspicion that the piston rings have gone bad but I wasn't sure about it and after search back and forth on internet and AI I came to know this issue moreover, when I tried to get this job done every mechanic says that he has to remove the head and only then they change the valve seals. As I have done a lot of work with my bike engine when I was young hence I only require the cord/rope. Brother your videos are another level of addiction and it gives satisfaction more than porn.
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I have the same issue for last three years and to every mechanic I visited had suspicion that the piston rings have gone bad but I wasn't sure about it and after search back and forth on internet and AI I came to know this issue moreover, when I tried to get this job done every mechanic says that he has to remove the head and only then they change the valve seals. As I have done a lot of work with my bike engine when I was young hence I only require the cord/rope. Brother your videos are another level of addiction and it gives satisfaction more than porn.
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martianwind
I have a 6th gen V6 Camaro. It has the LGX engine. Occasionally it will have a very faint amount of smoke but I have noticed a lot of oil in the exhaust tips. I also had a bad seal which was leaking oil on the side of the engine. I had a mechanic replace that but I'm still getting oil in my exhaust tips. Do you think this would fix that issue or am I dealing with something else Also, is there any easy way I can check my cats to see if they need to be cleaned
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I have a 6th gen V6 Camaro. It has the LGX engine. Occasionally it will have a very faint amount of smoke but I have noticed a lot of oil in the exhaust tips. I also had a bad seal which was leaking oil on the side of the engine. I had a mechanic replace that but I'm still getting oil in my exhaust tips. Do you think this would fix that issue or am I dealing with something else Also, is there any easy way I can check my cats to see if they need to be cleaned
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chrisfix
Hey Chris, I hope you are doing well. I am sukhraj a 12 year old in India, and I love your videos. I had some troubles with my own families car, but while watching your videos I fixed it. I fix the rear parcel tray that keeps rattling, I didn't oil change, and buffed out the paint. This used to be my dad's car but in 2025 December fifth he passed away. The only thing that brings me joy is watching your videos. Thank you for all the knowledge you gave me.
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Hey Chris, I hope you are doing well. I am sukhraj a 12 year old in India, and I love your videos. I had some troubles with my own families car, but while watching your videos I fixed it. I fix the rear parcel tray that keeps rattling, I didn't oil change, and buffed out the paint. This used to be my dad's car but in 2025 December fifth he passed away. The only thing that brings me joy is watching your videos. Thank you for all the knowledge you gave me.
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Slowlowevan
I recently did my spark plugs on my 2001 540 I and noticed there was some burnt oil on the plugs but no active wet oil on any plugs but it’s been a few days since I’ve done this and still on start up and for about 30 seconds there will be a decent amount of smoke coming out the back. I was told the valve cover gaskets were done, but that doesn’t mean that he did the valve stem seals with it. Do you think it would be a good idea to look into this
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I recently did my spark plugs on my 2001 540 I and noticed there was some burnt oil on the plugs but no active wet oil on any plugs but it’s been a few days since I’ve done this and still on start up and for about 30 seconds there will be a decent amount of smoke coming out the back. I was told the valve cover gaskets were done, but that doesn’t mean that he did the valve stem seals with it. Do you think it would be a good idea to look into this
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Thatonecarguy1234
Hey Chris me again thank you for the videos that you make they are very educational i just watch them for fun but there is some I did want to ask how are you doing on the drift stangAnd it's not a demand but when will We be getting an update on the drift stangWhat you going to do with it you got a turbo it or supercharge itBesides thatAmazing videoWe will always need you Chris
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Hey Chris me again thank you for the videos that you make they are very educational i just watch them for fun but there is some I did want to ask how are you doing on the drift stangAnd it's not a demand but when will We be getting an update on the drift stangWhat you going to do with it you got a turbo it or supercharge itBesides thatAmazing videoWe will always need you Chris
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sanxi34
About the cat, not only you won't pass emmisions. Especially at start up if you throw oil into the cat, it'll get covered, and when the engine and the cat get warm, the oil will burn off onto the cat, and you risk burning that honeycomb off, it'll break into pieces, it'll start rattling, and in some engines you can even suck up a piece of the cat into the cylinders. In summary, NOT GOOD
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About the cat, not only you won't pass emmisions. Especially at start up if you throw oil into the cat, it'll get covered, and when the engine and the cat get warm, the oil will burn off onto the cat, and you risk burning that honeycomb off, it'll break into pieces, it'll start rattling, and in some engines you can even suck up a piece of the cat into the cylinders. In summary, NOT GOOD
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uvuvwe90
I’ve been dealing with the exact same problem on my 1st-gen Sienna for the past month, and then you uploaded this incredibly detailed video! None of the other videos made me feel confident enough to tackle this job myself for the first time, but yours did! I can’t thank you enoughYou saved me tons of time searching online for a good instructional video like this.
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I’ve been dealing with the exact same problem on my 1st-gen Sienna for the past month, and then you uploaded this incredibly detailed video! None of the other videos made me feel confident enough to tackle this job myself for the first time, but yours did! I can’t thank you enoughYou saved me tons of time searching online for a good instructional video like this.
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chrisfix
I love these last couple of videos working on a Del Sol. My wife bought her 1997 in 1996. It is in mint condition but I like seeing you work on things I might want to do to this car. I would love to switch it to 15 wheels, but 4 lug 15 rims are hard to find. Buying 13 tires is getting hard to do.
Thank you for the cool videos.
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I love these last couple of videos working on a Del Sol. My wife bought her 1997 in 1996. It is in mint condition but I like seeing you work on things I might want to do to this car. I would love to switch it to 15 wheels, but 4 lug 15 rims are hard to find. Buying 13 tires is getting hard to do.
Thank you for the cool videos.
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chrisfix
This is indeed a job well done. Thank you for showing several ways of dealing with the valve keepers, the methods to avoid the valves from dropping down and the way to adjust the rocker arms, all while telling good practices to avoid labour extensive problems when unavoidable mistakes are made. This is a great video! Thank you!
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This is indeed a job well done. Thank you for showing several ways of dealing with the valve keepers, the methods to avoid the valves from dropping down and the way to adjust the rocker arms, all while telling good practices to avoid labour extensive problems when unavoidable mistakes are made. This is a great video! Thank you!
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itstherealseraphim
Chris, it's been a long run. I'm getting my drivers license after almost 9 years of watching your videos consistently and never over a week after upload. Irrelevant but you've stuck with me for 9 years teaching me everything I need to know about anything that goes wrong in my car. Thank you, Chris!
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Chris, it's been a long run. I'm getting my drivers license after almost 9 years of watching your videos consistently and never over a week after upload. Irrelevant but you've stuck with me for 9 years teaching me everything I need to know about anything that goes wrong in my car. Thank you, Chris!
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lucasg5494
Don’t you need to lock the engine before removing the screws I have a r57 1. 6 petrol and watched couple of different videos and everyone is talking about locking the engine when both of the camshafts engraving is at the top. Does anyone know is it a necessary step Or can I skip it
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Don’t you need to lock the engine before removing the screws I have a r57 1. 6 petrol and watched couple of different videos and everyone is talking about locking the engine when both of the camshafts engraving is at the top. Does anyone know is it a necessary step Or can I skip it
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TheMaroney
Just picked up a 2003 Civic Ex 1. 7 Vtec with 25k original miles. Its in very good shape. And the guy worked for honda already fixed all the recalls and the timing belt as well (bc of age not miles)
I paid up for it a little but nothing crazy. Its a great little car.
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Just picked up a 2003 Civic Ex 1. 7 Vtec with 25k original miles. Its in very good shape. And the guy worked for honda already fixed all the recalls and the timing belt as well (bc of age not miles)
I paid up for it a little but nothing crazy. Its a great little car.
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ZenBeepBop
Watched this video when it released over a week ago. I've found my car is burning oil after checking today. And I have a puff of smoke on startup! I'm now watching it again with the intention of doing it for real this time. Wish me luck! 2003 2ZZ Celica.
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Watched this video when it released over a week ago. I've found my car is burning oil after checking today. And I have a puff of smoke on startup! I'm now watching it again with the intention of doing it for real this time. Wish me luck! 2003 2ZZ Celica.
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mittytokumeisei995
please never put rope inside of an engine again. That is super sketch work. I'm surprised you opted out of replacing the springs with the valve seals. I mean, 200k miles is a lot for springs. I mean. while you're in there you might as well do it.
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please never put rope inside of an engine again. That is super sketch work. I'm surprised you opted out of replacing the springs with the valve seals. I mean, 200k miles is a lot for springs. I mean. while you're in there you might as well do it.
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Coltrabagar
Thanks for all the help over the years, ChrisFix. You show everything step-by-step, what to do and what not to do. You don't leave out any little steps. Very thorough, clear, and precise. Easy to follow. Thanks for helping out this shade-tree mechanic.
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Thanks for all the help over the years, ChrisFix. You show everything step-by-step, what to do and what not to do. You don't leave out any little steps. Very thorough, clear, and precise. Easy to follow. Thanks for helping out this shade-tree mechanic.
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CelestinHonda33
I did realize with this video that there's o'rings seals beetwin the rocker arm and the cylindre head himself. I always change the round gaskets in the cylindrer head cover but always keep oil leak in my spark plugs tunnel
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I did realize with this video that there's o'rings seals beetwin the rocker arm and the cylindre head himself. I always change the round gaskets in the cylindrer head cover but always keep oil leak in my spark plugs tunnel
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towboatjeff
Crazy a job that easy would cost that much to have a shop do it. I remember back in the day when i was 16 i helped a buddy do the valve stem seals in his crx and it was a pretty simple job, even for a couple high school kids.
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Crazy a job that easy would cost that much to have a shop do it. I remember back in the day when i was 16 i helped a buddy do the valve stem seals in his crx and it was a pretty simple job, even for a couple high school kids.
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