Repair 7

What Is a Valve Guide

A valve guide is a cylindrical part used to make sure that a valve makes proper contact with a valve seat in a reciprocating engine.

Significance

Each poppet valve in a cylinder head has a valve guide. The valve guide works with the valve spring to make sure the valve stays straight and makes contact with the valve seat. The valve guide guide also conduct heat from the exhaust valve into the cylinder head.

Considerations

Both bronze and steel are used to make valve guides. These materials are used because theyre strong. When a valve guide wears out, the valve doesnt properly connect with the valve guide, which makes oil leaks appear.

Aircraft

Valve guides are commonly used in aircraft engines. In aircraft engines, the valve guides are a tube that flares on one end in a T shape.