Will paraffin damage valve stem seals?

[Nobbylad]

After putting the cylinder head back together in terms of valves/springs etc, I tested the seal by pouring paraffin into the inlet/exhaust to see if it leaked out around the valves. I was reassured by the fact that it didn't, however was wondering if the paraffin will affect the valve stem seals at all and if so, should I rinse out with water/brake cleaner or something else?

[Bibio]

i doubt it very much as the seals are able to withstand petrol which contains benzene.

all very well filling the void with liquid to see if it leaks but that only tells you that it does not leak in the absence of pressure just like some radiators don't leak until they are pressurised.

[Nobbylad]

Cheers lance, but when you consider the exhaust valves leaked before cleaning up, lapping and new seals, it's an improvement.

Plus with the cylinder being smooth, was (hopefully) just carped up stems and/ or seals that were causing smoking.

[flymo]

if you're going to rinse with anything use petrol. Why not just test with petrol?

[flymo]

Originally Posted by Bibio

all very well filling the void with liquid to see if it leaks but that only tells you that it does not leak in the absence of pressure just like some radiators don't leak until they are pressurised.

short of pressurising the system and leak down testing, I know of no better method to test valve seal.