Piston Ring Replacement
  1. Using a ring expander (A), remove the old piston rings (B).
  1. Clean all ring grooves thoroughly with a squared-off broken ring or ring groove cleaner with a blade to fit the piston grooves.
    The top ring groove is 1.82 mm (0.07 in.) wide. The 2nd ring groove is 2.0 mm (0.08 in.) wide. The oil ring groove is 3.0 mm (0.12 in.) wide.
    File down a blade if necessary.
    Do not use a wire brush to clean the ring grooves, or cut the ring grooves deeper with the cleaning tools.
    NOTE: If the piston is to be separated from the connecting rod, do not install new rings yet.
  1. Using a piston that has its rings removed, push a new ring (A) into the cylinder bore 15−20 mm (0.6−0.8 in.) from the bottom.
  1. Measure the piston ring end-gap (B) with a feeler gauge:
    Piston Ring End-Gap
    Top Ring:
    Standard (New):
    0.15−0.25 mm (0.006−0.010 in.)
    Service Limit:
    0.47 mm (0.019 in.)
    Standard (New):
    0.50−0.65 mm (0.020−0.026 in.)
    Service Limit:
    0.87 mm (0.034 in.)
    Standard (New):
    0.20−0.40 mm (0.008−0.016 in.)
    Service Limit:
    0.62 mm (0.024 in.)




  1. Install the top ring and the second ring as shown. The top ring (A) has a T mark, and the second ring (B) has a 2T or FTE mark. The manufacturing marks (C) must be facing upward.
  1. Rotate the rings in their grooves to make sure they do not bind.
  1. Position the ring end gaps as shown:
  1. After installing a new set of rings, measure the ring-to-groove clearances:
    Top Ring Clearance
    Standard (New):
    0.07−0.11 mm (0.003−0.004 in.)
    Service Limit:
    0.12 mm (0.005 in.)
    Second Ring Clearance
    Standard (New):
    0.04−0.08 mm (0.002−0.003 in.)
    Service Limit:
    0.10 mm (0.004 in.)
    Oil Ring Clearance
    Standard (New):
    0.02−0.06 mm (0.001−0.002 in.)
    Service Limit:
    0.08 mm (0.003 in.)