Piston Rings

Lemon S3

Lemon S3

Alex
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I've recently bought some forged rods so I've got the rods n pistons out, I've got some new big end bearings and was wondering if it would be sensible to change the rings as well? If so, where do I get them from as having trouble finding any a part from ones on ebay from lithuania.
 
Iirc I got mine from audi for just over £120 Inc vat but that was with discount

So are you finally rebuilding yours with a possible hybrid? ;)
 
If you're thinking of changing the rings you will need to hone each bore and make sure the rings are gapped correctly. I'm goin to leave my piston rings alone unless they are in serious need of changing.
 
Westy said:
If you're thinking of changing the rings you will need to hone each bore and make sure the rings are gapped correctly. I'm goin to leave my piston rings alone unless they are in serious need of changing.
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Hmmm, Is that a must? Just because I'm not really too sure if my bores were honed when my rings where done? They wernt faulty, just had them replaced?
 
S3featesV9 said:
Hmmm, Is that a must? Just because I'm not really too sure if my bores were honed when my rings where done? They wernt faulty, just had them replaced?
Click to expand...

Westy said:
I'm no engine expert but I was under the impression that the bores needed to be honed to ensure a good clean surface for the new rings.
Click to expand...

You will need to hone the bores if fitting new rings else they won't be able to bed in properly and not seal... you would end up causing more issues than you started with... honing can be done with the engine in situe using a honing tool on a drill...

Caution should be taken for obvious reasons and make sure you cover the crank journals while you do it and make sure everything is cleaned after with brake cleaner or similar..
Laser Tools 2070 Engine Cylinder Hone

Pay especially careful attention to the oil squirters...

<tuffty/>
 
The rings are about 15-20quid per cylinder from Jason at All German Parts.

As above you will need to hone the bores, but it can be done without removing the engine/crank.

Personally i think its crazy to remove the pistons from an engine and NOT fit new rings. Sure they may well be fine, but so were the bearings, and you replaced those... Especially when the plan is to tune the engine, having as much of the motor fresh as possible will ensure a better end result.
 
Westy, defo do the rings if the rods/pistons are out. Mine wasn't letting any oil through then this happened
sandip003.jpg
 
Piston ring shattered and took a chunk of the piston with it. I had major detonation, possibly dodgy fuel what was the cause. The head looked like someone had been at it with a chisel....really bad!

I'm surprised i didn't bend a rod to be honest
 
sandip said:
Piston ring shattered and took a chunk of the piston with it. I had major detonation, possibly dodgy fuel what was the cause. The head looked like someone had been at it with a chisel....really bad!

I'm surprised i didn't bend a rod to be honest
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Blimey. I'll be checking the rings on mine but I don't want to attempt the honing myself as I can do more harm then anything.
 
Honing the bores and doing the rings would give you the peace of mind and take away any doubts in the future...... ;)
 
sandip said:
Honing the bores and doing the rings would give you the peace of mind and take away any doubts in the future...... ;)
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Unfortunately I don't have the time to get the block out to take to an engine specialist to get honed. Welly used his old rings and his car is going strong. I'll check them over when the pistons are out and I'll change them if they definitely need doing but it will probably end up delaying the build a bit.
 
Rings per set from GSF are £11 so £44 in total. Definately hone bores.
 
Westy said:
Unfortunately I don't have the time to get the block out to take to an engine specialist to get honed. Welly used his old rings and his car is going strong. I'll check them over when the pistons are out and I'll change them if they definitely need doing but it will probably end up delaying the build a bit.
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Fair enough bud, you've got better luck than me so the chances of a major disaster like mine are slim! lol
 
Westy said:
Unfortunately I don't have the time to get the block out to take to an engine specialist to get honed. Welly used his old rings and his car is going strong. I'll check them over when the pistons are out and I'll change them if they definitely need doing but it will probably end up delaying the build a bit.
Click to expand...

You can hone with the block in place bud... if I were closer I'd do it for you :)

<tuffty/>
 
Went to see my car today at RStuning, and i saw a broken ring by the tool tray, and asked was that mine,? and he said yes, it snapped clean in half when the piston ring compressor released it... proberbly thousands of heat cycles then a sudden pressure release..150k milage though...:huh:
 
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Westy said:
Ideally I could do with an ASN member who has done honing before and has all the kit to pop round mine Easter Weekend and lend a hand ;)
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I think I do too. Garage said they didn't get it honed!! Wtf?

I've done about 1100 miles since then and no issues yet?
 
garage said they didnt see any reason too as the bores were fine, and could still see the cross hatch on bores. so just did a quick deglaze with hot water and sos pad. apparently only need honing if you cant see the cross hatch?. if it needed it then it would of been sent away with the crank.
 
Depends on the definition of 'honing' I guess... I use the hone tool I linked to above and deglaze/add cross hatch to the bores... while this isn't honing in teh traditional sense it will serve to do the same thing at the end of the day... just because you can see the cross hatch doesn't mean it will be much use in bedding in new rings tbh... a quick run up and down the bore with a honing tool such as the Laser one is usually more than enough...

<tuffty/>
 
your right in saying that, if your going to do a job...then use the right tools. just thinking that maybe westy could use same method as the garage i used if he doesnt have access or feel comfortable using the drill bit. although theres only one way to learn, its not too expensive either.

take twice as long though and more elbow grease using a steel wool pad too.

garage have told me not to worry, so thats some weight off the shoulders.
 
aragorn said:
the yanks seem to like the flexhone tools, i've got a 1.8T sized one you can borrow if you want.
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<tuffty/> said:
Depends on the definition of 'honing' I guess... I use the hone tool I linked to above and deglaze/add cross hatch to the bores... while this isn't honing in teh traditional sense it will serve to do the same thing at the end of the day... just because you can see the cross hatch doesn't mean it will be much use in bedding in new rings tbh... a quick run up and down the bore with a honing tool such as the Laser one is usually more than enough...

<tuffty/>
Click to expand...

Ok guys, you've finally done it! You've persuaded me to do the sodding rings :)

Aragorn if you dont mind me borrowing your honing brush I'll pay the postage and hook you up for a few beers too.

Can anyone confirm what rpm drill I will need to use this tool?
 
I just used my variable speed mains drill and just sort of guessed the speed after watching a few youtube videos :p

Standard bore is 81mm yes.
 
yeh, iirc the video did two speeds, so many strokes slowly and so many strokes at a higher speed.

Westy: yeh i can send you the tool
 
I used the 1st speed on a battery drill for mine... just felt more in control if I did manage to catch the squirter...

<tuffty/>
 
Westy, are they genuine in any way? Would you perhaps not be best off going for some direct from TPS? or through jason? or am I missing something on the ad?
 
beachbuggy said:
Sorry for asking but why are you buying rings from Latvia for £78 when you can pick up perfectly good ones from a named brand from GSF for 1/2 the price?
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Nobody said they were half that price, they said £15-£20 per bore which is still £60-£80. Plus it's easier for me to click a few buttons then to phone GSF and ask for "Jason" and ask for a discount etc.
 
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