Boat Reed Valves

A reed valve is a component commonly found in vehicles powered by a two-stroke engine. It has a simple construction made up of a block, an optional guard, and petals. The task of this valve is to allow the one-way motion of the air/fuel mixture. During the up-stroke, the petals open and a vacuum causes the mixture to flow from the carburetor into the crankcase. When the piston moves down, the pressure forces the petals to close tight, pushing the air and fuel into the combustion chamber.

Reed valve petals operate under constant stress. They open and close thousands of times per minute – just about as fast as the engine revs, so it's not uncommon for them to eventually wear out and break. Originally made from metal, the petals have a composite construction in modern applications and are manufactured from fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc. Reed valves have a huge impact on engine performance so when the petals become chipped, frayed, broken, or otherwise defective, they may cause a “spit” from the carburetor and the engine may struggle to produce a full power output. At our store, you'll find replacement gaskets and reeds needed to restore the proper operation of your reed valve.