Final answer:
Valve spring dampers are used to prevent valve spring surge by absorbing energy and reducing oscillations within automobile engines valve springs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dampers, which are sometimes referred to as valve spring dampers, are used within valve springs in automobile engines. The primary purpose of these dampers is to prevent valve spring surge. This phenomenon, known as surge, occurs when the valve spring oscillates at its natural frequency, which can lead to valve float where the spring fails to close the valve properly. Surge dampers act as an additional spring or a shim inside the main spring to absorb energy and reduce the amplitude of oscillations, ensuring that the valve spring can function effectively at high engine speeds without detrimental oscillations.