Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Pistons and Connecting Rod Overview






Pistons and Connecting Rod Overview






1 Piston Rings

Offset gaps by 120°.

Use piston ring pliers for removing and installing.

"TOP" faces toward the piston crown.

Ring gap checking, refer to => [ Piston Ring Gap, Checking ] Piston Ring Gap, Checking.

Piston ring groove clearance checking, 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 affiliation to which cylinder it belongs to.

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

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

3 Circlip

Make sure it is tight.

4 Connecting Rod

Only replace as a set.

Affiliation to the cylinder mark - B -.

Installed position: Marks - A - must align.

5 Bearing Shell

Note the installed position.

Do not interchange used bearing shells (mark them).

Bearing shell retaining tabs must be firmly seated in the notches.

Axial play:

New: 0.05 to 0.31 mm

Wear limit: 0.40 mm

Measure radial clearance using Plastigage(R):

New: 0.02 to 0.07 mm

Wear limit: 0.10 mm

Do not rotate the crankshaft when checking the radial clearance.

6 Connecting Rod Bearing Cap

Affiliation to the cylinder mark - 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.

Tighten to 40 Nm to measure the radial play, do not tighten ti additional angle.

8 Cylinder Block

Cylinder bore checking, refer to => [ Cylinder Bore, Checking ] Cylinder Bore, Checking.

Crankshaft overview, refer to => [ Crankshaft Overview ] Service and Repair

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).