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Folks,
Here are my findings from the combustion chamber leak test.
Having done nothing to the valves and seats, I re-installed them, installed the spark plugs, plugged the injector holes w/glob of grease, and leveled the head. I then filled the combustion chambers w/washer fluid and let it set. The pictures below show the time progression. You can see that leakage is extremely slow, which tells me the valve seat seal is fairly decent. Most of the leakage, although small as shown in the pictures, was through the intake valves; a tiny amount seeped through a few exhaust valves. But over time, it was very minimal overall. Therefore valve lapping should be acceptable and have a negligible effect on the combustion pressure; i.e., I should not end up creating excess blow-by around the piston rings. I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
Here are pictures of the Prussian blue test. Again, these valves/seats have had nothing done to them. I merely applied the Prussian blue to each valve face, placed it in the head at its respective location, turned a few times w/valve lapping tool, and removed. Although the lighting/angle isn't the greatest on the photos, the outcome was positive for each valve seat; i.e., each valve had complete concentricity with its seat, and left no open gaps.
Having checked these various aspects of the valves and their seats, I'm planning to lap the valves lightly, first with a dab of coarse compound, followed by a dab of fine compound. I'm curious to hear what others may think.
Looks similar to my first 4 cylinder valve job, 1963 Triumph TR3B 2.2 litre twin SU carbs, I did the same , lapped the valves, and that engine is still running on Sunsdays in the summertime, 45 years later. I wish the guy would sell it back to me! It’s a favourite sports car of mine, sold it and bought a 1962 Jaguar XKE, second owner!
Looks similar to my first 4 cylinder valve job, 1963 Triumph TR3B 2.2 litre twin SU carbs, I did the same , lapped the valves, and that engine is still running on Sunsdays in the summertime, 45 years later.
Well, if it's good enough for a '63 Triumph, then it must be good enough for '09 HHR!
Oh heck look in the bathroom and use toothpaste. Your good as gold right now. I know, time figuring out a possible problem and then piece of mind after that. How many hours I did the same thing with cars/engines I put together. Remember "The mind is a terrible thing to waste".
