Q: How to service valves, valve seats, and valve guides?
A: Due to the intricate nature of the task and the specific tools and equipment required, a professional should handle the servicing of the valves, valve seats, and valve guides, often referred to as a valve job. A home mechanic can undertake the removal and disassembly of the head(s), perform the initial cleaning and inspection, then reassemble and transport them to a dealer service department or an automotive machine shop for the actual service work. This inspection allows the mechanic to understand the condition of the head(s) and valvetrain components and to know what work and new parts are needed when dealing with an automotive machine shop. The dealer service department or automotive machine shop will then remove the valves and springs, recondition or replace the valves and valve seats, recondition the valve guides, check and replace the valve springs, spring retainers and keepers (if necessary), replace the valve seals with new ones, reassemble the valve components and ensure the installed spring height is correct. They will also resurface the Cylinder Head gasket surface if it's warped. After the valve job has been professionally done, the head(s) will be in a condition similar to new. When the heads are returned, they should be cleaned again before installation on the engine to remove any remaining metal particles and abrasive grit from the valve service or head resurfacing operations. If available, use compressed air to blow out all the oil holes and passages.