Piston Ring Installation Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Cadillac SRX. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: Identifying Piston Ring Expander With Piston Rings

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CAUTION: Use a piston ring expander to install the piston rings. The rings may be damaged if expanded more than necessary.

Install the piston rings using a piston ring installer.

Fig 2: Aligning Oil Control Ring Expander

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Properly orient the oil control ring expander as shown before installation. The ends of the expander must be facing toward the top of the piston.

Fig 3: View Of Lower Oil Control Piston Ring Spacer

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Install the oil control piston ring spacer onto the piston.

Fig 4: View Of Lower Oil Control Piston Ring

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Install the lower oil control piston ring onto the piston (1).

Fig 5: View Of Upper Oil Control Piston Ring

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Install the upper oil control piston ring onto the piston (1).

Fig 6: View Of Oil Control Piston Rings

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Space the oil control piston ring end gaps (1, 2) a minimum of 90 degrees apart.

Fig 7: View Of Lower Compression Piston Ring Mark

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Install the lower compression piston ring onto the piston (1).
The mark on the side of the piston ring should face the top of the piston.
Install the upper compression piston ring onto the piston.
The top compression ring may be installed with either side up.

Fig 8: Identifying Proper Oil Control Ring Gap Positioning

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Once the rings are installed, set the ring gaps for the oil control, second and top rings in the positions shown:
1. Oil control ring expander and second compression ring gaps position 1.
2. Upper oil control ring gap position 2.
3. Top compression ring gap position 3.
4. Lower oil control ring gap position 4.