Piston and Connecting Rod Disassemble (1.6L LDE, LXV, 1.8L 2H0, and LUW)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the piston with connection rod. Refer to Piston, Connecting Rod, and Bearing Removal .

Fig 1: Detaching Piston From Connecting Rod

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

NOTE: Note installation position of the piston in respect of the connection rod.

Detach the piston from the connection rod.

NOTE: Do not damage the bore.

Remove the retainer (1) from the piston eye.
Press the piston pin out of the piston.

Fig 2: Removing Piston Rings Using Piston Ring Pliers

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Remove the piston rings, using piston ring pliers (1).
Remove oil carbon from the groove with a split piston ring, filed to a wedge-shape.

Fig 3: Rectangular Compression Ring, Tapered Compression Ring And Oil Scraper Ring

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Measure the piston ring gap.
- Tension the piston ring in the cylinder and measure the gap with a feeler gauge.
- Permissible ring gap:
  - Rectangular compression ring (1): 0.20-0.40 mm (0.007-0.015 in)
  - Tapered compression ring (2): 0.40-0.60 mm (0.015-0.023 in)
  - Oil scraper ring (3): 0.25-0.75 mm (0.009-0.029 in)

Fig 4: Checking Piston Ring Vertical Play With Feeler Gauge

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Check piston ring vertical play with a feeler gauge (1) in the piston ring groove.
Permissible vertical play:
- Rectangular compression ring (1): 0.04-0.08 mm (0.001-0.003 in)
- Tapered compression ring (2): 0.03-0.07 mm (0.001-0.002 in)
- Oil scraper ring (3): 0.03-0.13 mm (0.001-0.005 in)