Abstract: A valve guide seal device for the stem of a valve used in an internal combustion engine includes a seal/scraper ring retainer having an upper enlarged diameter portion supporting a scraper ring adapted to be fixed in the counterbore of a stepped valve guide bore in the cylinder head of the engine and a lower tube portion extension that projects into a fluid passage in the cylinder head, flow through which is controlled by a poppet valve that has a nominal diameter valve stem portion slidably received in the valve guide bore and in the scraper ring, and a valve stem portion with an upstanding annular bead that is slidably received in the lower tube portion extension when the valve is in its valve closed position to define therewith a gas flow barrier and which is adapted to scrape out any carbon deposits or the burnt ash therefrom during opening movement of the valve.