Questions and Answers
Burning Valves
Q. I was wondering what causes exhaust valves to burn?
Mike
A. Exhaust valves will burn if a hot spot develops on the valve face or valve seat. A piece of carbon will, on occasion, get stuck between the seat and face and create this hot spot by not allowing proper heat transfer from the valve to the head. If this goes on long enough, it will burn the valve.
Exhaust valves have to work under tremendous heat, as high as 2,500°. They do not have the benefit of a cold (relatively speaking) air/fuel mixture to help keep them cool.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
