Is it the Valve Seals or not? Plugs look good.

[stryker14]

I've got the 2005 E53 4.8is. It is new to me but has 117k miles.

It was sending the plume of smoke out of the tailpipe after a minute or so at idle and then punching the accelerator. I replaced the CCVs and piping, bank one looked pretty bad, bank two was clean. I also put in 10w40 synthetic. Both to no avail.

My trusted indie said ti was the valve seals and forum reading supported that opinion.

I bought the AGA tool to accomplished the task myself. I also planned on doing a bunch of other items such as the valve cover and timing cover gaskets as they both were leaking. Also doing water pump, p/s pump hose, alternator bracket gasket, plugs, fluids, and any other possible deferred maintenance items I can think of.

I started pulling things apart, got bank one valve cover gasket off and pulled the plugs expecting to see oil fouled plugs. NOPE, the plugs looked good, I pulled bank two and they looked good to. Now I am doubting that the valve seals are the problem. Shouldn't the plugs have oil residue evident? Or is oil fouled plugs not evidence of a valve stem seal issue?

I'm just trying to save myself about 20 hours of labor for nothing.

Thanks!