Hi

About 3 weeks ago the head gasket on my vauxhall corsa (x14xe) engine threw its toys (and coolent) out of the pram and blew its head gasket.

I have spent the last few weeks getting the head off and decided that it would be best to replace the valve stem seals while its all apart.

I got the cams, lifters and valves off tonight and it was all going well. However I noticed there is quite a bit of play with the valves and their guides.

Also, unfortunately, while trying to remove the old valve stem seals I managed to mangle a couple of the valve guides (lesson learned, use the correct tool)

So my questions. Firstly, how difficult is it to replace the valve guide? Can it be done with a suitable valve guide drift or is it a machine shop only job?
Secondly, if I replace the valves should I replace the undamaged valve guides too?

Best thing to do is take the head to a local engine builder and ask for a report/price. Wear in the valve guides is a matter of microns so expert opinion means you can decide whether to throw it all back together or spend the money having it properly overhauled. Alt. you may consider a good secondhand or recon. head. Cheers, Pewe.