Mid-life ringjob

Jan 18, 2004 5 Replies

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Jerritt 22 years ago

Not that I would actually attempt to do this but has anyone done this or knew someone that did it.

After the car(84 jetta 1.7l) overheated I recently changed the headgasket and milled the head. With it off, I saw there was NO ridge at all and you could still perfectly see the honing pattern on the cyl walls. After I put the head back on, the compression is better but still low on the middle two cyl's and oil streams out of the valvecover(blowby). Is this a sign of them stuck? I am going to try the kerosene method to see if that helps. Would it be wise to change the rings w/o taking off the head or honing(even though you could still see the hone pattern clearly on the walls and there was no ridge on the walls). Would they seat correctly? I took off most of the bearing caps and there was no visual imperfections on the bearings.

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Jo Bo 22 years ago

I'm not 100% sure but I don't think you can get the piston out the bottom.. Also you would have to use a micrometer to measure to see if there was a ridge or not, you can't relly see or feel it unless it's really big. I got a jetta diesel cheap once that the same thing happened. It had a new head gasket but didn't have any compression at all. Sitting with wd-40 in the cylinders with the block heater on for a few hours brought it back enough that it would start and run. From there the rings loosened up. If I were you I would get some Marvel Mystery Oil and with the pistons half way up pour several ounces in each cylinder and let it sit for a few days. Otherwise your choices are (a) remove the head, ream the ridgs and replace the rings or (b) drive it the way it is and hope the rings will free up.

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Woodchuck 22 years ago

1- do a cylinder leakdown test as this will determine the ring condition. 2- ain't noway to get the pistons/rings out without removing the head 3- before teardown I would try GM's top end cleaner which I heard works well.

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Tim Wohlford 22 years ago

If you decide to do a ring job, SERIOUSLY consider just shortblocking it. Lot easier... and there are tons of good quality short blocks at reasonable prices.

Tim Wohlford, '89 Golf, 246,000 miles (shortblocked 100,000 miles ago w/ a used block)

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T 22 years ago

Just want to mention WD-40 has sulphurous stuff in it- bad bad for O2 sensors. (Of course an old oil burner wouldn't care about that).

If doing the 'unsticking the rings' thing be sure to use something O2 sensor safe for when you restart it back up and blow all that junk out the tail pipe.

hth, TBerk

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bob 22 years ago

Don't know about VW, but on aircraft engines we use type F transmission fluid to unstick rings. Just spray a little in your cyclinders and let it sit.

Incidentally, vegetable oil does the same with ear wax should you have a "blockage" of sorts.

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