Dealing with specialty seals can be tricky, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience with mechanical installation. While it is very frustrating to break a mechanical seal during installation, rest assured that you aren’t alone. This mistake has been made several times by professionals on all calibers, and it only serves to emphasize the importance of getting it right.
That’s why our Real Seal experts want to help you avoid these same mistakes by giving you the do’s and don’ts of mechanical seal installation. These pieces of advice may seem simple and even at times mundane, but by following them, you can work towards that perfect installation. Remember that avoiding damaging your specialty seals is the most important part of the installation process. Follow the below items carefully to avoid any pitfalls in the future!
1. Use the Right Lubrication
It might not seem to make a difference on the surface but trust us when we say it really does. Having the right kind of lubrication can completely change the way you install your seals. If you have the wrong kind of lubrication, or even if you have no lubrication at all, you could risk seriously damaging your o-rings on your seal. This will cause the entire thing to tear and you’ll be left with a mechanical mess-up.
2. Don’t Over-Tighten Your Fasteners
Having over-tightened fasteners, or ones that are uneven, is a common mistake that leads to a series of broken seals. Of course, fasteners should be tight, but do not stress them out too much, or else you’ll warp the specialty seals, too. By tightening it too far, or by tightening it to the point where it’s uneven, can exacerbate already prevalent issues, guaranteeing a break in the seal.
3. Follow Instructions
Who has time to read an instruction guide? We know, it can be super monotonous, and a lot of the information is self-explanatory. But you might do well to review what’s given to you in the instruction manual, as there could be a small step that you are missing. Following the instructions is the difference between a broken and unbroken seal. Don’t try to install your mechanical seal until you have successfully followed all instructions given to you by the manual. Remember to look at all attached photos and diagrams as well in order to expand your full understanding of the job ahead.
4. Make Sure Your Pump is Aligned
If you are installing on a pump that is misaligned from the start, then you are certainly doomed to fail. Your pump can get misaligned if it is too strained or stretched, which can in turn put too much stress on the seal. This will cause them to not work right. You’re bound to fail if you install on a misaligned pump. You can avoid this issue by using laser alignments and following guide establishments to ensure that nothing is out of place.
5. Clean Your Workspace and Your Hands
You may not even consider washing your hands before starting an installation job, but it is very important. Dirty hands cause oily fingerprints, which can break the seal right from the start. Particles of dust and dirt in the air or on your workspace can degrade your seal, which can cause leaks or distortions down the line. Try to be as clean as possible as often as possible. Don’t put the seal on its face, wash your hands before work, and use clean tissues all around the area.
Invest in Specialty Seals for the Job Done Right!
Our specialty seals at Real Seal are built to last. We ensure easy installation, and you can achieve the perfect fit, especially when following the directions above. We understand the importance of smooth mechanics. If you want sound solutions and real results, take a look at our mechanical seals today. For more information, you can contact us online or give us a call at (800) 542-6162 at any time.
O-rings are a delightful invention used to prevent unwanted materials from passing through joints and construction gaps. Without O-rings, a lot of developments would be rendered ineffective and ultimately obsolete.
Today, we at Real Seal want to discuss the benefits of O-rings and just how vital they are to our functions every single day. From their invention to their modern applications, there is a huge need for O-rings. They truly drive the industry, and here’s why.
Their Invention
O-rings are more historic than you may think. They were first invented in the early 1800s, although they were not as functional as the ones that exist today. However, like many great things, they were invented by Thomas Edison as a testament to his wit and genius.
The O-ring we know and love today was invented later by Niels Christensen. He was a mechanic by trade and developed this patented O-ring to completely influence and change the way mechanics are engineered for the rest of time. They were invented just in time for the dawn of World War II, in which O-rings were used as effective seals against foreign materials when building large war machines.
Their Uses
O-rings are used for a variety of different applications in the industry. Since they are so affordable and incredibly easy to install, they can be used in so many ways. They are good at going through a considerable amount of wear and damage, making them one of the most versatile tools as well.
They are typically used in equipment like hydraulic cylinders, movable pipes, and even in laptops and gaming peripherals. They completely own the aerospace industry, as they are used to seal machines both large and small against any outside media.
They have even been used in NASA projects, although they have even seen improvements since then.
How They Work
O-rings are essentially gaskets that are shaped like rings. They are typically used in a groove and compressed between two mechanical parts. They create a seal between these two parts, protecting them from the invasion of any foreign material. They can block fluid, debris, and other media from coming into the other parts of the machine. They are a very versatile seal that the industry cannot do without.
They fill the gap between two mechanical parts, blocking water or air from escaping. This is what makes hydraulic and air-powered machines so effective, since their source of power has no means of escape. Once pressure is applied, it uses this force to seal against the groove.
O-Ring Benefits
O-Rings have a variety of different benefits that make it easy to create mechanical devices today. They can be adjusted to cover a wide variety of temperatures, pressures, and heat tolerances. They are super easy to install, and never require any kind of tightening or readjustment. And since they don’t require any tightening, you never have to worry about them causing structural damage to your device.
They can seal in more than one direction, making them effective for more complex mechanical devices. They are also very symmetrical, allowing you to seal in any direction you please.
Not to mention that they are affordable. They are lightweight and take up very little space, especially when compressed. They can resist aggressive and corrosive materials and chemicals that might otherwise damage the machine. And if an O-ring were to ever fail, the problem can be noticed right away and resolved before any real damage is done.
Invest in Competent and Professional Goods Today!
We can do what we do because of O-rings and the structural benefits they give us today. If you are interested in investing in the best seal products around, get in touch with us to discuss your options. We’d love to hear from you! You can contact us online or give us a call at (800) 542-6162 today.
Seals are a part of our everyday lives whether we realize it or not. There are seals around the windows in our homes and cars, around our doors and hundreds of other seals that we never think about or see. Read on to learn the benefits of using specialty seals rather than packing.
Packing
Still widely used, pump packing is still used to reduce leakage. Modern techniques use much more sophisticated braiding and materials, so they reduce friction, withstand heat and wear less. The benefits to using packing are many. For example, most maintenance personnel are familiar with it and how-to re-package if there is an issue. And the initial cost of packing is lower than with a mechanical seal.
One of the main benefits is that when packing starts to leak, it can be readjusted and tightened to reduce the leak while keeping the pump in service. When a mechanical seal fails, it can cause the pump to shut down.
Mechanical Seals
Packing should be maintained with a leakage rate of about one drop per minute of sealed product per inch/25mm of the outside diameter of the shaft. This rate of leakage can add up quickly costing hundreds of gallons a year. However, correctly fitted mechanical seals have no visible leakage, thus leading to no loss of product. Factoring in the loss of product, the mechanical seal usually pays for itself in about six months.
With no leakage, seals save companies time and money in dealing with waste disposal and other environmental issues. Governments are cracking down on waste and conservation of resources is the trend. Mechanical seals reduce disposal costs and provide benefits to emissions reduction.
Compared to packing, mechanical seals also reduce power consumption. On average, it is estimated that packing consumes six times more power than a properly fitted mechanical seal. Bearings are also more susceptible to damage due to the leakage that comes with packing. Using a mechanical seal means no leakage which means the life of the bearings is increased significantly.
Mechanical seals also reduce the wear and tear on shafts and sleeves. Packing also requires constant attention and maintenance due to the leakage issues. Because it doesn’t require routine maintenance, a mechanical seal can help reduce maintenance costs associated with corrosion, cleaning and painting.
Specialty Seals
Real Seal is a manufacturer and distributor of specialty seals and mechanical component goods, with a focus on performance-oriented rubber and plastic materials. Real Seal is one of the most technically advanced organizations in the industry, maintaining a fully equipped laboratory, full-time chemist and technical staff, allowing Real Seal the ability to assist with design challenges and formulate materials to meet specific criteria.
Known for our expertise in polyurethane materials, Real Seal offers a wide array of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications. Real Seal is set up to meet the needs of the more fragmenting aspects of the industry. Industrial manufacturers are being asked to offer consumers more choices with a wider latitude of performance criteria, all with greater economic constraints. As the industry continues to evolve to meet the demands of consumers as well as the challenges of international competition, Real Seal will continue to provide practical solutions and value to our customers.
If you are looking for specialty seals, contact Real Seal today for help in meeting your composite sealing demands.
Seals are a part of our every day lives whether we realize it or not. There are seals around the windows in our homes and cars, around our doors and hundreds of other seals that we never think about or see. Read on to learn what types of specialty seals are available.
Hydraulic Seals
These types of seals are defined as non-metallic and can stand a wide temperature range with little maintenance. Hydraulic seals are most often used as a barrier between fluids in a reciprocating motion application, like a piston found in a car. These parts can be static or dynamic. A static seal does not move but is found in a groove or other confined space. A dynamic seal is exposed to movement and moves itself.
O-Rings
An O-Ring is one of the most useful and common seals used today. This type of seal acts as a gasket in the shape of what is called a torus. A torus is a loop of plastic with a disc shaped cross section set into a groove and compressed between two or more parts. It prevents leaking if the stress is within its range. It cannot withstand extreme temperatures.
Bearings and Seals
Typically composed of many parts, bearings allow objects to keep working while withstanding each other. They are a flexible seal and are packed with grease or oil as a lubricant. They are often used between metal surfaces and can create a fluid barrier, so metal can keep revolving without rubbing another piece of metal.
Rubber Seals
These seals are used for a variety of applications because of the different compounds and properties of rubber. The most common use of rubber seals is to create air tight spaces, such as the cap of a jar of jam or your car door. Silicone rubber is an extremely stable compound of rubber that can withstand extreme temperatures while remaining functional. Silicone rubber is generally used for home repair and hardware, as well as food storage products. Natural rubber is also used for sealants because of its elastic nature and high resistance to tearing.
The Real Seal
Real Seal is a manufacturer and distributor of specialty seals and mechanical component goods, with a focus on performance-oriented rubber and plastic materials. Real Seal is one of the most technically advanced organizations in the industry, maintaining a fully equipped laboratory, full-time chemist and technical staff, allowing Real Seal the ability to assist with design challenges and formulate materials to meet specific criteria.
Known for their expertise in polyurethane materials, Real Seal offers a wide array of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications. Real Seal is set up to meet the needs of the more fragmenting aspects of the industry. Industrial manufacturers are being asked to offer consumers more choices with a wider latitude of performance criteria, all with greater economic constraints. As the industry continues to evolve to meet the demands of consumers as well as the challenges of international competition, Real Seal will continue to provide practical solutions and value to our customers.
If you are looking for specialty seals, contact Real Seal today for help in meeting your composite sealing demands.
During auto repairs, gas and exhaust leaks are costly and frustrating problems that arise quite frequently. To fix any leaks that happen in your engine or pipes, gasket seals are used to effectively tighten and close the area that is experiencing leakage. However, if the gasket seals are not placed precisely or installed tightly enough, the problem will continue, making more repairs necessary. To avoid this frustration and extra cost of a second repair, Real Seal has a comprehensive guide to show how you can better your gasket seals for a high-quality repair that will last for miles.
Finding the Correct Sealant
Often the most obvious problem happens when customers and repair men do not read the specific seal labels or do not follow every step of the instructions. To avoid this minor but costly frustration, make sure you are shopping for the sealant that will fix your exact leak problem. Read the full set of instructions and applicable uses before purchasing or using on your leaks. Following through with this simple step is an easy process that will save you time and money in the future.
Use Caution when Cleaning
When you’re preparing the two surfaces that are about to bond, be mindful to avoid causing any new or worse scratches, dents or punctures. Abrasive metal scrapers are not the only product that can get your gaskets cleaned and they could end up causing more damage and more leaking potential if you press too hard or scrape over existing punctures. Any form of scraping product used to clean is a risk on the existing structure, so be gentle throughout your entire cleaning process to avoid new damages.
Read up on the Specifics
Whether you’re binding engine leaks or pipe leaks, every car, brand and piece of equipment is made differently. Reading up on current models and specifics can only help you throughout the binding process. Metal types and parts models change seasonally and a bond you’ve used for other leaks may not be the right choice for the new repair you are trying to fix. It is also important to know which gasket seal you should be utilizing in every situation. If you are unsure of the kind of seal you need for your metal and part type, or you want to know what seals have been shown to work the best, check out our gasket seals guide and read through the options. Failure to use the correct type of gasket seal can mean that your leak fix will not hold, and your repair will only last for a short period of time. Avoid future stress, frustration and extra repair costs by doing a little homework into the parts and gasket seals before you begin work.
Prep the Parts
Another common problem with gasket seals that don’t last is a failure to effectively prep the work area. There are several pre-emptive steps available to ensure that the seal to hold up over a long period of time. Effectively cleaning both bonding surfaces is a necessary and time saving process that will allow for a seal to grab on to the organic metal and not a coating of grease or dirt build up. If the surfaces are not cleaned properly, the gasket seals are unable to bind effectively and will malfunction quickly. When installing gasket seals, you can also use lubricant products such as Vaseline to help the gasket stay in the correct place during the repair and to also aid in allowing the installation to slide in easier when you are ready to bind.
If you’re beginning a gasket seal repair and need the help of quality professionals and products, Real Seal is here to help you find what you’re looking for and answer any of your sealant questions.
Are you trying to decide which kind of seal to use, but got stuck choosing between seal or a gasket? Often, people think that these two things are the same products because of gasket seals, which are very similar. The difference lies in how each specific product fits and functions with a variety of different engine parts. Gaskets are often called O-rings and seals can be referred to as dynamic seals. When a gasket seal breaks and needs replacement, you will have to determine whether the gasket or the whole bearing is broken to understand what needs repair or replacing.
Seals or O-rings are molded and used for components that exist between engine parts such as shafts or pumps, that rotate and need a more flexible base. They can be O-rings, liquid seals, rotary seals, valve stem seals, mechanical seals, and many others depending on your component type and sealant need. When seals are used between those kinds of engine parts, they are called dynamic seals. If you require a specific seal that allows for rotation and slightly more flexibility, you should choose to use a seal. If you are trying to contain leakage or prevent any draining, seals are used to mold two objects without allowing any liquid from leaking. Seals tend to be more
Gaskets are manufactured specifically to fit a shape and size of the space they are meant to fill. Gaskets, in contrary to seals, are more static in their molding properties. If you have two parts, or two flat surfaces that you need sealed, a gasket is your better option. Based on the size and shape of your components, your gasket will be formed and molded to fit properly and seal efficiently. While seals are more diverse and allow for a different sealant than gaskets, the latter is engineered more to fit flat and simple components that do not require a more designed or difficult layout.
Overall, if your components are flat and basic in terms of shape and size, a gasket may be your better option. If, however, your components require more design, seals are your best bet. It is important to remember the difference between gaskets and seals, although gasket seals are similar, because knowing which will fit your components better will ensure that the repair or replacement lasts longer. A gasket can be a seal, but a seal will not always be a gasket.
For information on custom seal components and industrial solutions, get in touch with Real Seal today.
From mechanical components to rubber materials, there are many different seal products available to suit many different mechanical needs. If you’re new to the industrial world, or if you’d just like to brush up on some of the various types and functions of mechanical seals, then you’ve come to the right place. This guide is designed to help you learn more about specialty seals and the variety of rubber and plastic solutions available for different mechanical applications.
At Real Seal, our industry experts are proud of our manufacturing efforts, and we want to help you learn more about the different seals we create. Take a look at the information below to help you understand what mechanical seals are, what they’re used for, and how you can buy them for your own industrial project.
What is a Mechanical Seal?
A mechanical seal can be defined as any product that is engineered to contain fluid in a specific area, where a shaft will rotate around housing or vice versa. A seal is responsible for keeping fluid in place, creating a pressurized pocket that will prevent the liquid from spilling out if a shaft or housing needs to rotate around it.
Mechanical Seal Design
Before mechanical seals were intuited, more traditional forms of seals would involve flat rope being packed around the shaft to keep fluids in place. However, over time the friction of the shaft can wear and tear over time, causing the fluid to leak more and more. There are too many pressure and cooling requirements for this more traditional form of sealing, which is also known as gland packing, then is worth it. That’s why mechanical seals were developed, to help combat this issue.
Basic mechanical seals have three sealing points:
● The Primary Seal – This is the part of the seal that remains mounted at all times, with a spring-loaded system that will detect any movements in the shaft due to misalignment.
● The Rotating Face – This sealing point is attached to the shaft using an O ring. It is sometimes static since it rotates with the shaft, but never on its own.
● The Stationary Face – This sealing point uses the static seal to lift itself to the pump housing, which can be sealed with a gasket or an O ring for stability.
Fluidity
Most mechanical seals use a fluid film to keep them properly lubricated. Usually the fluid is pumped, but it can come from an outside source as well. It is sometimes difficult to figure out how to allow lubricant to flow while also preventing the seal from leaking too much fluid. There is also the challenge of not allowing any contaminants to enter the sealed area.
The way this challenge is met is that the seals contain a gap between the two faces that will allow clean lubricant to enter through. This gap is small enough to prevent contaminants from getting in, making it the perfect solution to maintain the proper amount of fluidity with the seals.
Preventing Leakage
The most major purpose of mechanical and specialty seals is to prevent too much leakage from getting through. Visible seal leakage indicates a problem in the sealing system altogether.
Most mechanical seals come with a super-thin layer of fluid film, which keeps the seal faces in place as well as apart from one another. This tiny gap does cause some leaks, meaning that leaks are inevitable. However, the leakage is so consistently low, nearly microscopic, that it is never a problem at all. This is a far better solution than the gland packing days of yore.
Order Specialty Seals for Your Industrial Project ASAP
At Real Seal, we have a variety of mechanical and specialty seals at your disposal. We have been in the industry for over four decades, making us industry experts in all things seal. For more information, or to get in touch with one of our reliable professionals, you can contact us online or give us a call at (800) 542-6162 at your earliest convenience. We look forward to speaking with you!
Gasket makers are great to have around and are extremely reliable. They reduce leak paths, they are resistant to vibration, liquid, and temperature fluctuations. However, there are a few gasket mistakes commonly made, even by the pros, that can compromise a repair. If you avoid these mistakes, then your gaskets should be totally reliable. At Real Seal, we want to make sure our customers know how dedicated we are to provide them with the best service, the best seal products, and the best experience by avoiding these common gasket mistakes.
Using a gasket maker to replace a head gasket
Modern gasket makers can replace some conventional, multi-material, formed gaskets, but they should not be used to replace a head gasket.
Using the wrong type of gasket maker
Gasket makers are specially made for specific applications, and these formulations are usable for a variety of requirements, from high temperatures to synthetic oil resistance to sensor compatibility. Trying to use one particular gasket maker for all of these application variations might result in an unreliable repair, so you need to make sure that the gasket maker you use is intended for the application you are using it for and meets your requirements.
Over-applying gasket maker
When you are gasketing, more does not equal better. Understanding the right amount to apply comes with experience, but a good rule of thumb is sticking to a bead thickness of roughly ⅛” to start. You do not need to apply a lot of product to get the ideal seal and applying too much product has the potential to cause the extra sealant to cause trouble like clogging.
Applying an RTV or anaerobic gasket maker on an application that is subject to gasoline exposure
It is important to really understand the limitations and abilities of the gasket maker you are using. Only gasket maker products that are solvent-based can withstand direct contact to gasoline, so if you use one that does not fall into this category, you are asking for trouble. Gas weakens lots of sealants, so if your assembled product will have direct exposure to gasoline, you need to stick to a solvent-based gasket maker.
Attempting to fill a gap that is too large with an anaerobic gasket maker
Gasket makers are designed to seal two close-fitting, machined-metal surfaces together. Anaerobic gasket makers are usually recommended for gaps that are tiny, tiny fractions of an inch. If you have a larger gap, then you should not be using an anaerobic gasket maker and should be using an RTV gasket maker.
Returning to service before the gasket maker has had full time to cure
All gasket makers need time to cure before you begin the assembly process and put everything back into service. If you do not wait for the appropriate amount of time, it can compromise the integrity of your new seal and undo all your work. RTV gasket makers have a curing time between two hours and 24 hours, while anaerobic gasket makers need roughly one hour to cure. Regardless, you should know how long you need to wait for your gasket maker to cure before you put your assembly back into service.
Waiting too long to reassemble after gasket maker is applied
Lots of mechanics will wait a bit to reassemble after using gasket material. In most cases, gasket makers work best when reassembled immediately while the material is still wet. Some even won’t cure until you’ve put the assembly together. Knowing your product is key, and not waiting for the gasket material to “skin over” is, too.
Unfinished surface preparations
To successfully form a gasket maker, your surfaces all need to be prepped so you are working with clean, bare metals. If you don’t clean off old materials, then it can compromise your entire assembly.
Reassembling the product incorrectly
If you rush the reassembly process, lots of common mistakes happen. Knowing your product, again, is key to making sure silly mistakes are avoided. Take your time, know what you’re doing, and understand your product.
Using a gasket maker as a dressing on another gasket
This is the most common gasketing error. Many mechanics will use an RTV gasket maker to bind a conventional or cut gasket in place during assembly and even use that gasket maker as a dressing by coating each side of the gasket. This is the wrong product for these applications because these formulations are too thick to use as a dressing. Misusing the product is common, so understanding what your product can do and what its limitations are is key.
Quality Seal Products
At Real Seal, we are here to help with any of your sealant needs. If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to us today!
Industrial processing operations are complicated and full of different technical variables. Wear and tear over time can cause machines and their often-smaller components to fail. When these processes involve products that are for human consumption, regulation is tight, and problems can be costly. Completely shutting down the equipment to conduct an inspection presents its own set of problems, including unproductive downtime, potential contamination and safety risks. But there is a solution. Read on to learn more about how metal detectable O-rings can save you time and money.
As machinery breaks down and rubber fragments from seals and gaskets make their way into the process stream, one solution to this issue is to use metal detectable O-rings. Unlike natural rubber or silicone O-rings, metal detectable O-rings are compounded with special additives, so they can be identified by metal detectors and X-ray machines. O-ring fragments as small as 2mm can be found so the fragments can be removed manually or by magnetic separators, thus improving product safety and any government regulations.
Made from various materials including silicone, flouroelastomer, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and others, these are designed to be used in standard OEM equipment and will perform just like traditional O-rings. They will also perform well with high and low temperatures with typical mechanical stress and are resistant to corrosive chemicals.
There are different supplier certifications and federal regulations for O-rings that come in contact with products such as food, beverages or pharmaceuticals. Officially, O-rings are usually classified as indirect food additives, meaning they are substances that come into contact with the processing stream but are not intended to be a part of the end product. Other substances included in this classification include packaging materials and other pieces of equipment that come in contact with the end product but do not mix with it.
A common practice in industrial processing today is to have a Hazard Analysis Control Point (HACCP) program in place which requires that any machinery that comes into direct contact with the product stream must be metal and X-ray detectable. Metal detectable O-rings meet this requirement. You should check with your O-ring or specialty seal supplier to see what your options are and how metal detectable o-rings can help you to limit your downtime, increase safety and save you money in the long run.
Specialty Seals & Gaskets
Real Seal is a manufacturer and distributor of specialty seal products and mechanical component goods, with a focus on performance-oriented rubber and plastic materials. Real Seal is one of the most technically advanced organizations in the industry, maintaining a fully equipped laboratory, full-time chemist and technical staff, allowing Real Seal the ability to assist with design challenges and formulate materials to meet specific criteria.
Known for our expertise in polyurethane O-rings, we offer a wide array of performance-oriented plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications. Real Seal is set up to meet the needs of the more fragmenting aspects of the industry. Industrial manufacturers are being asked to offer consumers more choices with a wider latitude of performance criteria, all with greater economic constraints. As the industry continues to evolve to meet the demands of consumers as well as the challenges of international competition, Real Seal will continue to provide practical solutions and value to our customers.
Contact Real Seal today for help in meeting your composite sealing demands.
At Real Seal, we are one of the most technically advanced organizations in the industry. We maintain a fully equipped laboratory, full time chemist, and a technical staff to assist you with design challenges and formulate solutions. We offer a variety of performance plastic and rubber solutions for sealing and mechanical applications.
What does a valve seal do?
When air and fuel are mixed together, the valves in place manage how much of that mixture make it through the cylinders prior to the combustion process taking place. These valves have sleeves on them that prevent gases from leaking out of them, and the tops of those valves have seals which prevent oil from being pulled into the engine area. These seals are usually made out of a high-strength rubber and when they begin to suffer some wear and tear, you may notice major symptoms that point directly to your valve seals being worn out.
What are the symptoms of a worn-out seal?
Symptoms of bad valve seals resemble those of bad piston rings, and if either of those fails, the performance of your vehicle will be greatly reduced, along with noticeable other issues. In addition to just noticing these issues, it’s incredibly important that you pursue fixing them. If you leave a leaky, faulty valve and don’t pursue an immediate fix, you might see major damages down the road. Understanding what to look for is the first step in keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape.There are a few classic warning signs to keep an eye out for:
● Not enough accelerating power: when valve seals are damaged, the compression of the vehicle is reduced and causes your engine to lack in power. This will result in you not having enough accelerating power, something you’ll notice immediately when you attempt to accelerate.
● Too much oil being used: When valve seals are damaged, oil leaks into the combustion chamber. You’ll notice yourself going through oil at a rapid, unreasonable rate, and this could signify a leak as a result of a damaged or worn out seal.
● Exhaust smoke: If thick gray or white smoke is coming from your engine, take that as a major sign of a problem! This indicates that your vehicle is burning oil, and the only way that could be happening is if oil is leaking into the combustion chamber of your engine, often as a result of a damaged seal.
If you regularly maintain your vehicle, bring it to a professional when needed, and take care of damages as they occur, you are less likely to suffer a major problem when it comes to the health of your valve seals. Paying close attention to the performance of your vehicle can also help reduce the damage a worn out, needs-replacing valve can cause. So, keep alert when it comes to symptoms of issues in your vehicle.
