Why Is Grinding a Necessary Procedure in Valve Maintenance?

For engine valves to perform optimally, they require some maintenance. In particular, they must have a seal surface that aligns with today’s current standards. So, if you have valves that don’t work properly, you should talk to an expert at a respected company that provides marine diesel engine repair.

Unfortunately, some people try to do the repairs themselves. In many cases, the outcome isn’t what they expected. Not only can the wrong repair compromise an engine’s performance, but it could also post safety risks. Again, this is why it’s important to rely on professional cylinder head rebuild services.

The Benefits of Valve Grinding Services

When it comes to valve repair, lapping and grinding are two of the services needed the most. The reason is they produce a dense flat surface, which allows for an effective seal. In other words, with valve grinding services, a professional creates a metal-to-metal seal area, which is what you want.

If the repair is minor and you have someone qualified on your team, they could fix the valve while it’s still attached to the pipeline system. However, if you need something major done, like marine diesel engine repair, you want an expert to handle the job. That’s when they’ll likely perform both grinding and lapping procedures.

As part of valve grinding services, an expert first removes the bonnet. That gives the individual adequate space to work around and inside of the valve body. Not only that but by using a company that specializes in this field, the person doing the repair work will use the right tools. That makes the job easier but also more effective.

Whether you hire a trusted source for diesel engine or cylinder head rebuild services, grinding the valves accomplishes several things. For example, it makes them more versatile. That way, you could use them for different applications. At the same time, adding various accessories for specialized applications extends the valve’s capabilities.

Unique Procedures Used for Valve Grinding Services

Depending on the work required, an expert will determine the appropriate method as part of the valve grinding services provided. The following are some examples of the techniques used:

• Individual Grinding – Today, many professionals still prefer this older method. It involves individually driven grinding heads. In this case, an expert arranges the ground discs in a planetary style around a central driving head. This allows them to achieve the same speed. This technique produces a perfectly flat seal.
• Milling or Grinding Machines – Using one or the other machine tools, this method works incredibly well for grinding valves quickly while achieving the required angle. With a mounting mechanism, the machine used for valve grinding services keeps everything accurately centered throughout the process. Not only is this a fast way to complete the work, but it also yields stellar results.
• Lapping – More specifically, this consists of lapping with a rotating plane table. Although it’s more time-consuming compared to other techniques, it’s ideal for both valve wedges and seals.

We Can Help

If you need help with marine diesel engine repair or cylinder head rebuild services, we have years of experience. Contact us at Allied Marine and Industrial for a personalized quote.