Checking the valve guides

When repairing a cylinder head with leaky valves, it is not enough to process or replace the valves and seats. In addition, the valve guides should be checked for wear. This is especially important for high mileage engines. Worn guides do not guarantee a central seating of the valves and lead to high oil consumption. If wear is too great, valve guides should be replaced (performed in the workshop).

1. Remove the valve.

2. Clean the valve guide with a cylindrical brush.



3. Insert the valve into the guide from the side of the combustion chamber and measure the play by moving the valve from side to side. Valve play should be measured parallel to the respective rocker arm, as in this direction the greatest wear is shown.

4. Attach a steel ruler to check. There should be practically no gap. Limit value: 0.2 mm.

5. If you have a micrometer and a bore gauge, you can measure the actual clearance between the valve guide and the valve stem.

6. Replace guide if necessary (performed in the workshop).

Attention! Never install a guide of the same diameter again.

valve guide	Required value	Border
Inlet	0.02 - 0.05 mm	0.10 mm
Release	0.04 - 0.07 mm	0.10 mm