Valve seals are designed to keep oil from leaking into the combustion chamber, where it can burn. If the valve seals are damaged or worn out, they can leak oil, which can cause the car to lose power and/or smoke.
Here's how it works:
* When the piston moves down the cylinder, the intake valve opens and air is drawn into the combustion chamber.
* As the piston moves back up the cylinder, the intake valve closes and the air is compressed. This compresses the oil that has leaked into the combustion chamber, turning it into a mist.
* When the spark plug ignites the air/fuel mixture, the expanding gases push the piston down the cylinder. This creates power.
* As the piston moves down the cylinder, the exhaust valve opens and the gases escape from the combustion chamber.
If the valve seals are damaged, they can't keep the oil out of the combustion chamber. This means that oil will leak into the combustion chamber every time the piston moves down the cylinder. This oil will eventually burn off and cause the car to lose power.
In addition, the oil mist can foul the spark plugs, causing the engine to run rough. In severe cases, the oil mist can cause the engine to knock.
If you think you may have bad valve seals, you should have them inspected by a qualified mechanic. They can determine if the valve seals are damaged and replace them if necessary.
