What inspections are performed on valve springs during overhaul?

What inspections are performed on valve springs during overhaul?

• A. Visual cracks, only; replace if crack found.
• B. Measure installed height only; no other checks.
• C. Visual cracks, tension consistency, installed height; replace if out of spec.
• D. Color of springs checked for condition.

Answer: (C)

Valve spring inspections focus on three things to ensure proper valve control: cracks, tension, and installed height. Visual inspection catches cracks or flaws in the spring body that could lead to sudden failure. But fatigue can wear a spring even without obvious cracks, so checking tension consistency is essential—this means verifying the spring develops the correct force as it compresses, matching the engine’s specifications across the operating range. Installed height matters because the spring’s preload sets the valve seat pressure; if the installed height is out of spec, the valve may not seal properly or could float at high RPM. If any of these checks fail, the spring should be replaced to protect valve timing and sealing. Color or appearance alone isn’t a reliable measure of condition, so it isn’t sufficient by itself.

Valve spring inspections focus on three things to ensure proper valve control: cracks, tension, and installed height. Visual inspection catches cracks or flaws in the spring body that could lead to sudden failure. But fatigue can wear a spring even without obvious cracks, so checking tension consistency is essential—this means verifying the spring develops the correct force as it compresses, matching the engine’s specifications across the operating range. Installed height matters because the spring’s preload sets the valve seat pressure; if the installed height is out of spec, the valve may not seal properly or could float at high RPM. If any of these checks fail, the spring should be replaced to protect valve timing and sealing. Color or appearance alone isn’t a reliable measure of condition, so it isn’t sufficient by itself.