Oil Soaking Valve springs
Oil Soaking Valve springs
(OP)
I would like an education.
Some time ago, I was read/told before using new cylinder head valve springs, to do two events to them.
1. Compress the spring in a vice to coil bind and return to stress-relieve.
2. Oil soak the springs overnight.
Why would I oil soak a valve spring?
Some time ago, I was read/told before using new cylinder head valve springs, to do two events to them.
1. Compress the spring in a vice to coil bind and return to stress-relieve.
2. Oil soak the springs overnight.
Why would I oil soak a valve spring?





RE: Oil Soaking Valve springs
Rod
RE: Oil Soaking Valve springs
Oil soak? To prevent corrosion from your fingerprints perhaps?
Above are just my thoughts. Please do not accept them as facts unless others corroborate.
RE: Oil Soaking Valve springs
RE: Oil Soaking Valve springs
Rod
RE: Oil Soaking Valve springs
RE: Oil Soaking Valve springs
RE: Oil Soaking Valve springs
RE: Oil Soaking Valve springs
Liberally coated in oil should do, for all the reasons of start up friction and corrosion creating stress risers as indicated by previous comments. I can see no advantage in soaking in oil for more than the time it takes to wet the surface.
Regards
pat pprimmer@acay.com.au
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Oil Soaking Valve springs
Appreciate the answers given and more info is learned.
I did not know manufacturers compressed the spring as a final assembly procedure. Yes, A straight vise is a major concern. One could drill both jaws and insert a rod inside the coil to help keep the spring from becoming a projectile.
I personally don't think oil soaking has anything to do with changing the mech properties of the steel, but, I do agree it is a good practice for initial oiling to cool the spring upon engine startup and waiting for the oil splash to cool it later.
Everett
RE: Oil Soaking Valve springs
Rod
RE: Oil Soaking Valve springs
I couldn't agree more, but I have seen valve springs being compressed in a small worn vice with the original steel jaws, with the springs well off centre. I left the room before anything happened.
Regards
pat pprimmer@acay.com.au
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Oil Soaking Valve springs
All good quality valve spring (or any quality compression type spring- helical coil, belleville, etc.) are "pre set" by the manufacturer. That means they are compressed to flat, or coil bind, conditions after heat treat. If you are buying your springs from a reputable manufacturer, it should not be of concern to you.
As far as "oil soak" is concerned, most engine valve springs are metal alloy, and therefore impermeable to oil.
Of course, you may have confused the term "oil soak" and "oil quench". Most high quality engine valve springs are chrome-silicon or chrome-vanadium alloy steel, which may require an "oil quench" during their heat treat process.
Good Luck,
Terry