Valve Springs: Description
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Dodge Intrepid, 2003 Chrysler Intrepid, 2003 Chrysler Concorde, and 2003 Chrysler 300M. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The valve springs are made from chrome silicon alloy wire and incorporate a "beehive" design. Valve spring retainers and locks are common from valve-to-valve. The valve spring seat is integral with the valve stem oil seal, which incorporates a garter spring to maintain consistent lubrication control to the valve stem.
The valve springs are unique for intake compared to exhaust. Both have different lengths and are wound in opposite directions. The valve springs are color coded, intake spring is right hand coil direction with orange dye on the top coils, and the exhaust spring is left hand coil direction with a yellow dye on the top coils (Fig 1).