Valve spring retainer incorporating lubrication oil trap

A valve assembly, comprising:

• a valve comprising a valve head and a valve stem extending away from the valve head;
• a valve spring disposed around the valve stem;
• and
• a retainer coupled to the valve stem and engaged with an end of the valve spring, the retainer comprising a circumferential wall defining a reservoir with an open end facing away from the valve spring, wherein a distal end of the circumferential wall curves radially inward toward a central axis of the retainer so as to form a re-entrant lip that partially covers the reservoir.

An engine, comprising:

• a cylinder block including a plurality of cylinders;
• and
• a valve assembly comprising:
• a valve configured to control delivery of fresh air into a first cylinder of the plurality of cylinders;
• a valve spring at least partially surrounding the valve;
• and
• a retainer coupling the valve spring to the valve, the retainer comprising a circumferential wall defining a reservoir with an open end facing away from the valve spring, wherein a distal end of the circumferential wall curves radially inward toward a central axis of the retainer so as to form a re-entrant lip that partially covers the reservoir.