FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Piston Rings

Piston rings





1. Insert a new piston ring into a piston ring groove and check piston ring-to-side clearance.

Ring-to-side clearance:
Top:
Standard clearance: 0.002 - 0.003 inch (0.04 - 0.08 mm)
Maximum clearance: 0.006 inch (0.15 mm)
Second:
Standard clearance: 0.001 - 0.003 inch (0.03 - 0.07 mm)
Maximum clearance: 0.006 inch (0.15 mm)

2. If clearance exceeds the maximum, replace piston.
3. Inspect piston rings for damage, abnormal wear, or breakage.
4. Replace piston rings if necessary.
5. Insert piston ring into cylinder by hand.





6. Square ring in cylinder by inverting a piston into cylinder and pushing ring to the bottom of its travel in cylinder.





7. Place a feeler gauge in end gap and check end gap clearance.

End gap clearance:
Top: 0.006 - 0.011 inch (0.15 - 0.30 mm)
Second: 0.012 - 0.018 inch (0.30 - 0.45 mm)
Oil rail: 0.008 - 0.027 inch (0.20 - 0.70 mm)
Maximum: 0.039 inch (1.0 mm)

8. Replace piston ring if necessary.