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Starting at $4.95, AutoBuffy stocks 2 engine exhaust valves from SKP for the Ford Escape. The exhaust valve opens at the end of each combustion cycle to release burned gases from the cylinder. A worn or burnt exhaust valve causes compression loss, misfires, and eventually serious engine damage if left unaddressed.
Exhaust valves run hotter and face more chemical stress than intake valves, so material and coating matter more than price alone. The right choice depends on whether your Ford Escape is used for daily driving, high-performance applications, or whether the engine has been modified for increased power output. Always verify the exact valve dimensions — head diameter, stem diameter, and overall length — for your specific engine before ordering.
| Option | Best for | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| OEM-spec steel replacement | Daily drivers needing a straight factory restore | Correct dimensions, hardness, and finish to match original specs; straightforward drop-in fit |
| Stainless steel (one-piece) | Higher mileage engines and moderate performance use | Improved heat and corrosion resistance over standard steel; longer service life in stock or lightly modified engines |
| Sodium-filled hollow-stem valve | Turbocharged, supercharged, or high-rpm engines | Sodium core transfers heat away from the valve head more efficiently, reducing the risk of burning under high thermal load |
| Inconel or high-alloy performance valve | Forced-induction builds, track use, or heavily modified engines | Extreme heat and oxidation resistance; designed for combustion temps that would quickly degrade standard or stainless valves |
Exhaust valve replacement begins with removing the cylinder head, which requires draining coolant, disconnecting the exhaust manifold, and disassembling the valvetrain. Once on a bench, a valve spring compressor is used to release each keeper, allowing the old valve to be removed and the new one installed with fresh seals. The head should be inspected — and ideally resurfaced — at a machine shop before reinstallation, and all fasteners must be tightened in the correct sequence to manufacturer-specified torque ranges.