Do I Need Valve Saver/Flash Lube?

[EViS]

I have a 2004 (04 - 08) Ford F150 4.6l V8 which has had a Romano system installed for the past 9 years. My local installer advised that I do not need a flashlube/valve saver system but can of course have one installed as a precautionary measure if I prefer. So, is it correct that this 4.6l engine doesn't suffer from valve seat recession?

[Gilbertd]

How many miles has it done in 9 years, how many sets of valves has it eaten?

[EViS]

It's done around 60,000 miles since the system has been installed, I would assume most of this has been on LPG. No idea whether it has gone through many or any valves in the hands of the previous owner?

[scottyf]

I'd imagine it hasn't gone through any then. Removing and putting in new valves is a costly business...

[EViS]

I'm sure it is. So... is it worth investing in some prevention solution or does my engine not require one?

[Gilbertd]

After 60,000 miles, I doubt it.

[EViS]

Out of interest, what's an average mileage for valves to be destroyed due to recession?

[Gilbertd]

Some tests were done on a Honda engine and the valve seats were destroyed within 10,000 miles. It will depend entirely on the particular engine and what grade of steel the seats have been made from. I had a Saab that had done 258,000 when I sold it, almost all on gas, and the head had never been off. So anything between 10 and 300 thousand (although rumour has it that a Ford Zetec engine would last even less time than the Honda one).

[EViS]

Between 10 and 300 haha! I'll follow your and the local installers advice and refrain from spending pounds on lube .