01 avalon stem seal replacement

[tncsparky]

So this is my parents car and it smokes bad on start up after it has been sitting for awhile. When we checked the spark plugs the only ones that were discolored were the first cylinder on the passenger side closest to the grill and the one next to it. Can this be done in the car? Is there a step by step guide for this?

Thanks for any help
tim

[Zembonez]

How many miles?

Valve stem seals can be installed without removing the head but it requires special tools and a fair amount of disassembly. Keep in mind that many failed valve stem seals fail because there is excessive wear in the valve guides, allowing the valves to have lateral movement. Just replacing the seal won't fix it for very long at all if this is the case.

[tncsparky]

I think the mileage is north of 150,000. It seems this is pretty common from the searches that I have done. I do realize that it would be quite involved but just trying to help out my parents. At this point we have more labor than money. We aren't noobs, but it would be helpful if I could find a guide without buying a book.