Engine experts.........New piston rings or They'll be fine?

[KarlT]

Hi, While my 2.1 DJ is in bits all over the place, thought I'd check the old piston rings end gap.
Bentley says they can be up to 0.9mm, Haynes says 1.0mm, I think mine are 0.94mm.
I think engine has done 80,000miles. They look fine & liners are in good condition. Is this okay?
I don't think they need renewing as engine was running fine but I've come this far. What would you do, if it were your money?
VW have only got 3 sets available the other would have to go on back order. More waiting. They are also £25 +VAT each set.

[KarlT]

Can you get same quality somewhere else cheaper?

[Simon Baxter]

Drop me a mail and I will see if I can get some kolbensmidt ones in for you.
Not something I normally stock, but if your stuggling then willing to do it.

[Red Westie]

New rings on worn bores can be more trouble than they are worth...Why?
The new rings will have to bed in quickly to the shape of the worn bores in order to seal correctly, not easy on shiney liners so the bores will need a good glaze bust to roughen them up further wearing the liner.
Also...what rings do you fit? standard? if the bores are worn what gaurantee have you got that the gap won't still be towards the upper limit.
Also caution....a wear step in the upper edge of the liner can brake the new top rings.
I wish you all the best.
Martin

[KarlT]

Cheers chaps, Seeing what Martin said & having had a night to think about it. I'm probably going to let sleeping dogs lie. It seems to be possible to open a can of worms without having the possibility of much, if any, improvement.
Cheers anyhow Simon.

[camper]

I would agree with what Red Westie said.But fom past experiance on working on BMC & Ford engines with broken or worn rings or bore wear there was an other solution .There was some piston ring manufactures that supplied oil control rings for worn engines the top ring in the set had a step on it and there was a special oil control ring .The idea was that you glazed busted the bores then fit the pistons with these rings the stepped top ring wouldnt hit a ridge on the top of a worn bore.Fitted them to proberly a dozen engines over past years & worked very succesfull on slightly worn engines .The rings where called Cords or Hepolite i do believe. http://www.cordsduaflex.com/whycords.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Red Westie]

Ooooowwwer missis! thats a blast from the past, I remember seeing stepped top rings and I certainly remember Hepolite pistons but I've never heard of Cords...
I guess it all depends on wether they are actually made for your VW.
I must admit to be very fussy about brands I certainly wouldn't use just anything.
Martin

[happy camper]

As me old Grandad used to say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it ! "












He also said " if it has t*ts or tyres it'll cost you a fortune ! "




Wise man was my Grandad, RIP.