Valve stem seals

[froggy]

I'm in the process of rebuilding my engine and have recently started to re-lap the valves but i have noticed there are no stem seals fitted, is this correct?
I have both a brazilian gasket set and an elring gasket set and neither of these appear to have stem seals in yet when the new JK book dropped through the door i noticed they sell the seals individually, so should there be valve stem seals fitted or not?

 

[Clarkson46]

I've never seen any fitted in recent years. They were once upon a time fitted though I believe VW ceased using them many years ago. The general consensus is that without them there is improved lubrication to the valve stems which is no bad thing. I've never fitted any and it does not seem to affect oil consumption like it would on a vertical engine.

 

[Araon]

WHS^^^ I never fitted them nor stripped a head with them in that said I'm about to strip a pair of SPs' so who knows...