Valves are essential to the internal combustion engine. But what exactly do they do?
![]()
Valves or poppet valves control the inflow and outflow of air inside the cylinder for burning fuel and powering the vehicle. Valves are operated by the camshafts placed above them. Valves sit in the cylinder head above the piston and seal the combustion chamber (internal space where fuel is burned) from the atmosphere when the engine is not in operation. Air paths are bored out inside the cylinder head for each cylinder, which originate from the valve seating and connect to a manifold or common collector box.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Now for the…
 "Simple Tech: Valves and valve springs explained")
 "Charlie Kirk, shot dead in Utah, once said gun deaths are 'worth it' to save Second Amendment")
 "From governance to tourism, how Gen-Z protests have damaged Nepal")
 "Did Russia deliberately send drones into Poland’s airspace?")
 "Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages: Qatar PM after Doha strike")
 "Charlie Kirk, shot dead in Utah, once said gun deaths are 'worth it' to save Second Amendment")
 "From governance to tourism, how Gen-Z protests have damaged Nepal")
 "Did Russia deliberately send drones into Poland’s airspace?")
 "Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages: Qatar PM after Doha strike")
