Valve stem oil seals.....needed??

[paulandchez]

I've now had both heads stripped and re-lapped the valves and cylinders etc. However, it was only on the 6th valve dis-assembly that I found one of the plastic oil seals. The other 2 didn't have one either. I also found half of one in the oil strainer when I removed it for cleaning. And the Bentley manual doesn't mention them for my engine.

So my question is....are they actually required and what damage if any could have been done with all but one missing?

Thanks guys

[bigherb]

No. They where fitted to the earlier type 4 engines and they come as part of a rebuild kit so people fitted them regardless.