The 'E' Type Forum

Hi All.....Just removed the intet manifold for a carb refurb & looking into the ports there are quite thick deposits on some of the valves. I know that the head was off in 1994 & since then has only done approx 4k miles....Im assuming that lack of use has deteriorated the valve seals & oil is leaking. Im after your advice re cleaning off the valves with the head still on (rag/petrol) or is this not recomended......When I first got the car last year it was showing a bit of smoke but after a few good runs this seamed to stop....my thinking was the valve seals had revived to do their job or is this just wishfull thinking......Regards Steve

First thing to try is Redex in the fuel and a few squirts into each cylinder followed by an 'Italian Tune-up' - get the car nice and warm then drive it like you stole it, red lining it through the gears for 30 miles or so. Check the valves again.

Hi David......would the redex only clean up the combustion chamber as opposed to the deposit build up on the top side of the valve...or does it clean the top side as the fuel is drawen it......Ideally I was looking to clean up prior to reassembly but am concerned of deris getting into the bores...was thinking of turning engine by hand to close the valve & then cleaning....any thoughts? Steve

Steve: I would not get too worried. If you have real valve guide or oil seal problems you would find that the inlet valves were wet with oil . If you are getting better than 200 miles per pint, it is very unlikely that there is anything seriously amiss, and if the engine is a leaker, anything down to 150 mpp is fairly normal . There are a few rebuilds which do much better than this , but they are rather out of the ordinary