Broken valves

[rbattelle]

I believe valve failures in a factory stock engine are rare based on reading posts here in the TDR for many years.

I agree. Anecdotal evidence around here suggests on stock engines being operated within normal ranges valve issues (dropped seat in particular) are quite rare.



It also seems to me the few there have been are 2004. 5-2006 trucks, not 2003-2004.



Here's one from 2005 that happened on a stock engine (post 11).



Try searching on "valve seat" in the 3rd gen 5. 9l engine forum.



This thread is not about valve seats, though, it's a snapped valve. Which is extraordinarily rare, I think, regardless the model year.



-Ryan

 

[Wingate]

Is there anyway to find out if the valves are actually 1 piece or 2 piece?

Maybe, using a magnet, start at the stem end of the valve and start sliding the magnet down to the face. If the valve is a two-piece valve (and is made similar to Caterpillar valves) one end will be almost non-magnetic.

If you find a valve that has broken at the inertia weld, then you need to inspect the fracture carefully to determine whether the break was the source of the failue or resultant damage.

Typically, an inertia weld is far stronger than either of the two metals being welded together.

 

[MSicotte]

The talk from the machine shop owner just got me a little paranoid. I am trying to sell the truck (see classifieds), and the last thing I need right now is a major repair. We're expecting a big dump of snow on Tuesday, so its going to be parked pretty soon anyway... ... ... ... ...