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how are valve guides lubricated

by Prof. Lisandro Dietrich Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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To answer your original question, no gasoline does not lubricate the valve stems. Valve stems are lubricated by oil being metered between the stem and guide. Positive-type valve stem seals (such as PC Teflon seals) must be installed with enough stem to guide clearance, or the valve will seize.

By engine design, the oil is moved under pressure from the crankcase by the oil pump, through ports and galleys at the top of the head, an area just inside the valve cover. The lubricant then flows along the head to the valve stem(s) and once there, flows down the stem, lubricating the stem and guide.Feb 15, 2019

Full Answer

Do plug valves need to be lubricated?

Plug valves need to have the hydraulically activated surface coating of extreme pressure grease in order to form a seal. Plug valves require lubrication to form a seal but grease can offer supplemental emergency sealing power in a variety of valve types. Properly lubricated valves are protected from the harms of corrosion and oxidation.

What type of lubricant do you use for the valve guide?

We use assembly lube. Do not cause harm, nor respond to harm with harm. Re: Valve guide lubricant? We use assembly lube.

What are the benefits of lubricating valves?

One of the most important benefits of properly lubricate valves is reduced wear and tear on moving internal parts. The mechanical joints that join stems, bushings, and gears benefit from regular lubrication with quality grease. In fact, some metal-to-metal contact inside of valves can’t work at all without lubrication.

What type of valve guides do you use?

Cast iron guides; use either standard road spec valves - preferably the up-rated, chrome-stemmed items for longevity - or race spec valves that have been chrome-stemmed. DO NOT use raw EN214N race valves - they will seize in the guides.

What Can Valve Maintenance Do for You?

What is the viscosity of grease?

Why grease valves?

What is API valve?

What is the best viscosity for process control valves?

Why is it important to lubricate valves?

What is MP grease?

See 2 more

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What component controls the amount of lubrication to the valve guide and stem?

Valve stem seals control the lubrication of the valve stem as it slides in the valve guide. Too little oil causes stem and guide wear.

Are valves lubricated?

Role of Valve Lubricants Lubrication or greasing is a very important part of valve maintenance. Failing to lubricate a valve may lead to decreased performance and even to the total breakdown of the whole system.

Should you lubricate valve stems?

One of the most important benefits of properly lubricate valves is reduced wear and tear on moving internal parts. The mechanical joints that join stems, bushings, and gears benefit from regular lubrication with quality grease. In fact, some metal-to-metal contact inside of valves can't work at all without lubrication.

Should you lubricate valve stem seals?

These valve stem seals are small parts, but they play a very important role in maintaining the engine's sanity. The right amount of lubrication is needed, not more than that, and not less than that; the same confirms the valve stem seals. Bad valve stem seals lead to an overall malfunction in the engine.

How does oil get into valves?

If your car has pushrods rather than an overhead camshaft, then oil is forced under pressure into the valve lifters. These lifters also pump oil up through the hollow push rods to lubricate the rocker arm area.

Will worn valve guides cause oil consumption?

Worn valve guides or seals usually result in increased oil consumption. A cylinder leakdown test tells if the valves or rings are leaking, not if the guides or seals are worn per se - though a leaking valve can be an indicator of a worn guide also.

What kind of grease for valve stems?

Because it employs a special silicone compound, VSG-77 is the most stable lubricant available on the market today. This grease-like paste is the lubricant of choice for valves of all varieties, including: ball valves, plug valves, butterfly valves, automated valves, gate valves, and also rubber and plastic O-rings.

Why is it important to keep valve stem threads lubricated?

Keep the threaded stem oiled to prevent rusting and clean up any dirt or sand which adheres to the stem. Cycle the valve (if possible) to keep the valve from seizing in one position.

Should you put assembly lube on valves?

I would not use assembly lube with the valves (in the valve guides), but just oil there. The reason for this is because there is no way to flush the assembly lube out of this orifice like there is in other places throughout the engine. My preference is to use assembly lube for the rest of the parts.

Are valve guides and valve seals the same thing?

Valve guides are the metal sleeve that sits in the head that the valve stems slide through. Valve stem oil seals are a rubber component that slides down the valve stem and sits on top of the valve guide to stop oil from the rocker assembly side of the head seeping down into the cylinder.

What are the symptoms of bad valve guides?

0:292:00Quick Tip #11 Worn Out Valve Guides - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipA symptom of the valve guide being worn out is that this engine was burning a lot of oil the oil wasMoreA symptom of the valve guide being worn out is that this engine was burning a lot of oil the oil was actually working its way between the valve. And the valve guide. And going into the engine.

How do you grease a valve stem?

0:502:26Greasing a Boiler Valve - Weekly Boiler Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDirectly in there otherwise we can thread the valve out grease. The stem and operate it a few times.MoreDirectly in there otherwise we can thread the valve out grease. The stem and operate it a few times. And once we've operated a few times we'll get that grease worked in.

Why is it important to keep valve stem threads lubricated?

Keep the threaded stem oiled to prevent rusting and clean up any dirt or sand which adheres to the stem. Cycle the valve (if possible) to keep the valve from seizing in one position.

What is a non lubricated plug valve?

Non-Lubricated styles don't use grease for sealing. This design typically clads or vulcanizes an elastomer onto the plug or body (Buna, Viton, EPDM, other) to achieve close to zero leakage when in the closed position. Non-Lubricated plug valves are used often in applications of water & wastewater.

Is assembly lube stickier than regular oil?from forums.sohc4.net

There is also assembly lube. It is stickier than regular oil ...

Is there a risk of carbon in valve guides?from forums.sohc4.net

No risk for carbon in valve guide when o iling them and valve stems ?

Should I use assembly lube on new parts?from forums.sohc4.net

It's easy to over-think this. It's more important to use assembly lube on new parts that need bedding in, IMO. If you're re-using parts that are already mated to each other it's perhaps not so critical to use assembly lube.#N#Even if you just use engine oil and don't start it for a couple of months later, that's surely no different from starting an over-wintered bike after a while? How many people panic about starting their bike after a winter lay-off? The main difference I suppose is that the oilways will be 'primed' to an extent and theoretically the top end will be lubricated more quickly than if it were a freshly buttoned up motor.#N#But I tend to hedge my bets. If I know it's going to sit for a while, new parts or not, I'll use assembly lube around all the 'metal to metal' areas and seals. It just gives a bit more protection against wear until the oil reaches where it should.

What material is used for valve guides?

Valve guides - Materials and usage. Material choices for guides are down to two distinct types - cast iron and bronze. Yes, cast iron. NOT steel as described in many adverts and by vendors. Never have been, never will be. These are as fitted to the various A-series cylinder heads as standard in all applications.

How are road spec valves made?

A manufacturing process called 'fusion welding' is used - the stem and head are two different pieces. Each are spun up to high speed then pressed together. The friction developed creates heat so immense it physically welds the two pieces together - hence 'fusion welding'. Convenient for mass-manufacture of valves having the same stem diameter with a multitude of optional head diameters it may be, but it adds a weak point. This process negates the more expensive process of forging the valve heads where only a limited number of diameters can be turned out of one 'blank', but the joint is a weak link. For road use, they are not a problem. But when higher rpm is used along with the necessary higher strength valve springs to stave off valve bounce, the valve head can break off. Serious engine damage ensues.

What is race valve?

Race spec valves are almost universally EN214N stainless steel. Despite what folk have been lead to believe, they are generally not as hardwearing as the standard type valves. This material is used because it is easy to form and machine yet resilient enough to perform reliably in the combustion chamber's extremely harsh environment. Used in their 'raw' form, they're OK when used with leaded fuel, effective lead-substitute treated fuel, or proper race fuels but wear very quickly when unleaded fuel is used. Paul Ivey's 'Specialised Valves' company have been chrome-plating the stems for many years - instigated on his Rimflo valves so folk could use them in the standard cast iron guides. However, chrome plating is an expensive process and difficult to apply correctly without causing weakening of the valve stem - something Paul Ivey found out early on - so up-to-date designs use Tuftriding or nito-carburising instead. The latter are easily identified by the grey/black finish it leaves.

Why is unleaded fuel so abrasive?

Unleaded fuel is the bugbear as can be seen from the former text; largely because of the 'high-drying' solvents used in it. These are extremely abrasive, cleaning away any traces of normal lubrication - such as engine oil. Material mis-match between valves and guides will cause galling leading to seizure of the valve in the guide, exaggerated by the unleaded fuel thing. So which valves do you use with which guides?

Why cast iron valve heads?

Cast iron is used because it is a very dissimilar metal from any used in valve manufacture - important to eliminate galling that causes seizure of the valves in the guides - is softer, yet resilient enough to wear well.

What are the different types of valves?

Valve materials are very varied, but essentially there are three groups. The first is the old-style standard road spec, second up-rated standard road spec, and lastly race spec. The material types for both road spec valves are both complicated and irrelevant. All you need to know is that the early types had plain finished stems and seats because leaded fuel was very kind to them, the up-rated (or modern) ones have chrome-plated stems with triple-material heads giving a super-hard seat area - both to improve longevity, especially in later years where unleaded fuel is used.

Why do leaded cars have chrome plated stems?

All you need to know is that the early types had plain finished stems and seats because leaded fuel was very kind to them , the up-rated (or modern) ones have chrome-plated stems with triple-material heads giving a super-hard seat area - both to improve longevity, especially in later years where unleaded fuel is used.

Is assembly lube stickier than regular oil?

There is also assembly lube. It is stickier than regular oil ...

Is there a risk of carbon in valve guides?

No risk for carbon in valve guide when o iling them and valve stems ?

Should I use assembly lube on new parts?

It's easy to over-think this. It's more important to use assembly lube on new parts that need bedding in, IMO. If you're re-using parts that are already mated to each other it's perhaps not so critical to use assembly lube.#N#Even if you just use engine oil and don't start it for a couple of months later, that's surely no different from starting an over-wintered bike after a while? How many people panic about starting their bike after a winter lay-off? The main difference I suppose is that the oilways will be 'primed' to an extent and theoretically the top end will be lubricated more quickly than if it were a freshly buttoned up motor.#N#But I tend to hedge my bets. If I know it's going to sit for a while, new parts or not, I'll use assembly lube around all the 'metal to metal' areas and seals. It just gives a bit more protection against wear until the oil reaches where it should.

Why is my valve stuck?

valve stems are designed to run virtually dry in there guide.Oil leaking past the seal will burn and cause a carbon build up on the stem leading to a stuck valve. The cylinder head usually expands at the same rate or faster then the valve stem when exposed to heat, so a stuck valve from overheating isn't likely.

Do modern cars have valve stem seals?

Many modern cars have valve stem seals. Their valve guides are solid cylinders without oiling holes and don't have a direct connection to the pressurized oil galleries. So then how are the valve stems lubricated? What am I missing?

Should I use engine oil on valve stems?

If you are going to start the engine soon and not store it long term, use engine oil on the valve stems when assembling it. I don't want flow impeding grease on the stem. BTW, gas helps cool and lube intake valve stems.

Can you lubricate a valve seal?

On a valve seal you want a very small amount to get past to lubricate the valve/valve guide area. If there was no lubrication in this area, you could get a stuck valve.

Do all engines have stem seals?

All engines have some kind of stem seal AFAIK. Oil laying on the top surface of the cylinder head trickles down the valve stems. The area under the cam (valve) covers gets fed with oil from pushrods on cam in block engines or jets and chain sling on OHC engines. Joel

What Can Valve Maintenance Do for You?

After all, what we really want to know is what proper maintenance can do for your valves right? But, when you invest the time it takes to research and organize a routine maintenance program and the effort that it takes to make sure it gets executed, you’ll be doing yourself and your valves a big favor.

What is the viscosity of grease?

The organization that sets the standards for lubricating grease is the National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI). They have developed a scale to measure the viscosity of grease. It runs from 000 (least viscous) to 6 (thickest). When using grease to lubricate process control valves, medium viscosity in the range of 1-2 is typically the best.

Why grease valves?

Grease performs several crucial tasks that make valves work better and last longer. In order to get the most out of your valves , it’s essential to choose a grease that will deliver superior performance. You might be thinking that a penny saved is a penny earned. But if you’re pinching pennies in the area of valve maintenance, you’re being penny wise and pound foolish.

What is API valve?

In the oil and gas industry, pipeline and gathering line valves fall under the supervision of the American Petroleum Institute (API). Under API specifications, gate valves have to be equipped with an injection port. This allows you to pump grease into the valve to seal leaks. The API also publishes specific standards for the lubricants used in plug valves that come under their oversight.

What is the best viscosity for process control valves?

When using grease to lubricate process control valves, medium viscosity in the range of 1-2 is typically the best. In addition to knowing the viscosity that will work best for your operation, it can be important to consider the components that make up the product’s base and soap. The base of grease can be derived from petroleum, animal, ...

Why is it important to lubricate valves?

One of the most important benefits of properly lubricate valves is reduced wear and tear on moving internal parts. The mechanical joints that join stems, bushings, and gears benefit from regular lubrication with quality grease. In fact, some metal-to-metal contact inside of valves can’t work at all without lubrication.

What is MP grease?

Greases of this type are often used on cars and trucks but can be used for light-duty valve applications. “MP” means that you have a multi-purpose grease. MPs are #2 NLGI greases that are appropriate for light industrial and agricultural applications.

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1.Valve Maintenance 101: Valve Lubrication - PSA, Inc.

Url:https://psavalves.com/valve-maintenance-101-valve-lubrication/

18 hours ago  · Or are they? It seems that with the seal right on top of the guide, it would scrape off any oil that would be used to lube the valve in the guide. Is there a leftover film on the valve …

2.Moly lube on valve guides? - Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Url:https://www.speed-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19802

17 hours ago The valve is very hard material, running in a softer guide, and the lubrication comes in the form a tiny amount of oil wiped onto the valve by the stem seal with every opening. Click to see full …

3.GB192669A - A lubricated valve guide - Google Patents

Url:https://patents.google.com/patent/GB192669A/en

28 hours ago  · Plug valves need to have the hydraulically activated surface coating of extreme pressure grease in order to form a seal. Plug valves require lubrication to form a seal but …

4.Valve guides - Materials and usage

Url:https://calverst.com/technical-info/valve-guides-materials-and-usage/

31 hours ago  · Yep. Just simple engine oil in the guides and stem. A squirt into the guides and a little wipe on the stems and valve seats and valve seat area and install them. I put my finger …

5.Valve guide lubricant? - SOHC/4 Owners Club

Url:http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=129920.0

24 hours ago Channels and reservoirs in valve spindle guides.- A housing H for a valve guide A is provided with an annular chamber F around the lower part of the guide, the chamber F being supplied with …

6.How does oil get to valve stems - Bob Is The Oil Guy

Url:https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/how-does-oil-get-to-valve-stems.111547/

18 hours ago  · Valve guide lubrication. Tags guide lubrication valve. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 13 of 13 Posts. Homez ...

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