Piston Ring Side Clearance Measurement Procedure

Piston Ring Side Clearance Measurement Procedure





1. Roll the piston ring entirely around the piston ring groove. If any binding is caused by the ring groove, dress the groove with a fine file. If any binding is caused by a distorted piston ring, replace the ring.
2. With the piston ring on the piston, use feeler gages to check side clearance at multiple locations.
3. Compare your measurements with those found in the Specifications.
4. If the clearance is greater than specifications, replace the piston rings.
5. If new piston rings do not bring the clearance within specification, the piston must be replaced.
6. When replacing the piston rings, only install re-ring sets that have a 1.2 mm (0.047 inch) thick nitrided steel upper compression ring and multi-piece oil rings. The top compression ring may be installed with either side up. There is a locating dimple on the 2nd compression ring near the end for identification of the top side. Install the 2nd compression ring with the dimple facing up.