Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Piston and Connecting Rod Overview






Piston and Connecting Rod Overview






1 Piston Rings

Offset gaps by 120°.

Use piston ring pliers for removal and installation.

"TOP" faces toward the piston crown.

Checking the ring gap. Refer to => [ Piston Ring Gap, Checking ] Piston Ring Gap, Checking.

Checking the piston ring groove clearance. Refer to => [ Piston Ring Groove Clearance, Checking ] Piston Ring Groove Clearance, Checking.

2 Piston

Checking, refer to => [ Piston, Checking ] Piston, Checking.

Mark the installed location to the connecting rod and to the cylinder to which it belongs.

The 2 deep valve recesses in the piston head point toward the center of the cylinder block.

Removing and installing, refer to => [ Piston ] Piston.

3 Locking Ring

Make sure it is secure.

4 Connecting Rod

Only replace as a set.

Mark which cylinder to which it belongs - B -.

Installed position: Marks - A - must align.

5 Bearing Shell

Pay attention to the installed position.

Do not interchange used bearing shells (mark them).

The bearing shell retaining tabs must be firmly seated in the notches.

Axial clearance:

New: 0.05 to 0.31 mm

Wear limit: 0.40 mm

Measure the radial clearance using Plastigage(R):

New: 0.02 to 0.07 mm

Wear limit: 0.10 mm

Do not rotate the crankshaft when measuring radial play.

6 Connecting Rod Bearing Cap

Mark which cylinder to which it belongs - B -.

Installed position: Marks - A - must align.

7 Bolt

40 Nm + an additional 90° (1/4) turn.

Always replace.

Lubricate the threads and contact surface.

Only tighten to 40 Nm to measure the radial play, do not tighten the additional torque angle.

8 Cylinder Block

Checking the cylinder bore. Refer to => [ Cylinder Bore, Checking ] Cylinder Bore, Checking.

Crankshaft overview. Refer to => [ Crankshaft Overview ] Service and Repair.

For the correct piston and cylinder dimensions, refer to => [ Piston and Cylinder Dimensions ] Piston and Cylinder Dimensions.

9 Piston Pin

If difficult to move, heat the piston to 60 °C (140 °F).

Remove and install using the pilot drift (VW 222 A).