[Vwdiesel] Should I Re-Ring?

Will Taygan lists at alaskabiodiesel.org
Thu Jan 23 11:20:44 PST 2014


I have factory install rings on Kobenschmidt pistons.  What would
measuring the end gap tell me other than whether the bore is shot?  Will
it tell me if the rings are worn-out?

Factory rings in +1mm would set me back over $400, Hastings about $100
and Grant $25.  I was leaning towards the Hastings, but really have no
idea..

Is there a downside to honing and installing new rings?  Will they only
help or could it hurt?  Not looking for long-longevity, not burning any
oil, cold start is acceptable, but I am looking to increase power..

I'm pushing a Westy with the 1.6NA, and can really notice the power drop
as compression has gone from 450+ down to ~400.

I don't have any piston tools, so I'm shying away from re-ringing,
unless it'll help with power and not damage what's in there.

Would the coolant loss and oil pressure loss burn out the rings, or
mostly just hit the bearings (or valves??) 

Thanks,

Will in Alaska.


On Wed, 2014-01-22 at 11:23 -0500, lbaird119 at aol.com wrote:
>   Since you'll have the head and pan off, I'd pull a piston and measure the end gap.  (pull top ring, put it in the cylinder then flip the piston, push down until second ring stops it, remove and measure the gap.)  I only say this because I had a rebuild where the rings wore excessively due to the shop not honing the bore coarse enough.  Otherwise I'd say you have no indications to need to look.
> 
>   Looks like you're leaking between #2 and #3 mostly with #2 possibly leaking a little into the water jacket but not enough to blow coolant.
> 
>   Never use oil on a hot compression test, especially on a diesel.  I had a 302 Ford fire on me and peg my gauge, a diesel certainly could.
>     Loren
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Will Taygan <lists at alaskabiodiesel.org>
> To: vwdiesel <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
> Sent: Tue, Jan 21, 2014 6:51 pm
> Subject: [Vwdiesel] Should I Re-Ring?
> 
> 
> (Crossposting from the Diesel-Vanagon group:)
> Background: 82 Stock-ish 1.6NA - 2yrs+35k on bored +1mm rebuild.  Lost
> oolant at 10k, lost oil pressure at 34k.  Still running.  Was running
> ot on hills under load, replaced thermostat and radiator, helped (like
> erfect) for a couple weeks, now running hot and cold every couple
> iles.  Oil in coolant, replaced oil cooler, coolant tank stays full.
> Plans: replace head gasket, swap oil pan for a turbo pan (a delayed
> roject) and install new Peloquin trans coming this week from
> ATransaxle.
> ** Compression 400,345,370,400 (HOT), 450,390,440,450 with a spoonful of
> -cycle oil.  Is a +50psi with oil sealing like this expected on normal
> ings, or would there be a benefit (or disadvantage) to putting new
> ings in? 
> Probably should have replaced the headgasket a long time ago, but my
> ompression tester was broken, and it HAS been driving daily (though
> ust on local roads, not the highway).
> SHOULD I RE-RING?  I'll have head and pan off anyway, but it would be
> n-rack with crank in.  I have another engine to rebuild when this one
> ies, but I would really like to get this one in shape for summer.
> Thanks for you opinions!  I have disassembled a bunch of parts engines,
> ut have never done rings or put pistons back in.
> Will in Alaska.
> 
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