98zforme

I have a 98 Z28 with stage 2.5 5.3 heads and a small cam. Thats all the previous owner knew, don't know the brand, but they are 862 castings and they were supposedly refreshed with new valve seals, guides, and PP gold springs about 5k miles ago. I did verify that it has dual springs in it. I was changing the oil and found this on the drain plug. Its all one piece, small mangled coil spring. What is it? Is it a valve seal spring? The runs fine, hasn't used a drop of oil and does not smoke? What do you guys think?

heavymetals

iTrader: (3)

Kind of hard to tell, but probably a valve stem seal spring.

98zforme

I cut open the oil filter and there was no trash or metal shavings in it.

What would cause the valve seal to get chewed up? Should I just install a new set of seals or could there be a mechanical problem causing the seal to get chewed up?

heavymetals

iTrader: (3)

Could be an old one that dropped in when they were changed before.

It looks like it got beat up, but at least it isn't in tiny pieces.

Cut the filter apart and look for more crap.

If it is running ok I say don't take it all apart.

I would change the oil again (soon) and look for more pieces.

If you want to spend some time on it, pop the valve covers and look for a missing spring off of one of the seals.

2001bluerata

iTrader: (2)

This is what I would do... since you already stated that you verifed the dual valve springs, I'd get back in there and check through all the seals to see if one spring is missing! If they are all there then you could think that maybe it got dropped when they were changed last.

98zforme

Checking the springs was a simple as pulling the valve cover, but can you actually see down in there enough to look at the valve seals?

I did cut open the filter, no metal shavings or trash in the filter.

heavymetals

iTrader: (3)

You may have to rotate it a few times to get it into the right position, but yes, it can be done.

A magnifier and good lighting are real helpful.

I suggest creating a check off list of each valve.

2001bluerata

iTrader: (2)

good idea!