type 4 engine, valve spring

hello, great day today to set valve clearances in the sun, but found knocking was not from the valve clearance but from a broken vlave spring,

Would it be possible to change the spring without taken the head off?

Thanks

 

No.

 

yes perhaps you can, there is a tool for it but you need a compressor too.

 

I will look into that, you know what tool it is?

thanks

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRANKLIN-TA-200-VALVE-SPRING-COMPRESSOR-FORD-C-V-H-ENGINES-/160751712134?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item256d8c7786

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VALVE-SPRING-COMPRESSOR-TOOL-SET-REMOVE-OIL-SEALS-HEAD-PLACE-/360410330348?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item53ea2134ec

but you may have to either make one ar adapt one, i have done it on other engines before, when you remove the rockers you put an airline into the spark plug hole and this keeps the valve in place, then you need to crack the collets and remove spring etc.

the above tools are not vw specific but give you an idea perhaps

 

Then when you've spent your cash on the gadget either drop the valve by mistake, or notice it's dished and you want to replace it. That sounds like a great tool for a garage workshop to have a go but they'd be prepared to strip it anyway.

Or maybe not.

 

It can be done but bear in mind what zed says above.

 

if you drop the valve you can rotate the engine slowly to lift it high enough to pull it up again for the compressed air to hold it in position, its worth an hour or 2s work to give it a try saves pulling the engine, but i have done plenty with no ill effects

 

cheers for the advise

 

Drop the engine and check the valve properly

If it's been running with a broken valve spring it's better to be safe than drop a valve