A drivetrain equipped with piston rings is one of the most advanced parts you can find in a car. In this article, I’ll tell you a little more about what piston rings are, what types of these components you may come across, and how to care for this extremely important part of your car.
What are piston rings?
Piston rings are components that seal and separate the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine from the crankcase. In addition, they scrape excess oil off the cylinder walls. The rings are seated in specially prepared grooves on the outer surface of the piston.
Piston rings - what are they responsible for?
The task of piston rings is to seal the space between the engine’s combustion chamber and the crankcase. Thanks to them, it is possible to effectively remove oil that builds up on the cylinder while driving. Piston rings are therefore thermodynamic conveyors that conduct heat directly from the pistons. They also control oil consumption by the drivetrain. As you can see, piston rings have a very significant impact on the operation of the entire drivetrain, and keeping them in good condition is extremely important.
Types of piston rings
Piston rings come in several types, which are worth mentioning.
- Sealing rings (compression rings) - their task is to seal the combustion chamber and prevent gases from entering the engine’s crankcase.
- Sealing-scraping rings - they seal the combustion chamber and prevent oil from being drawn from the crankcase into the combustion chamber during the intake stroke.
- Scraper rings (oil rings) - as the piston moves, they collect oil from the cylinder walls. Their shape, grooves and slots cause this type of piston to drain the collected oil back into the oil pan.
Piston rings - signs of failure
Improper operation of piston rings can lead to a serious failure, which is why it is worth observing your car and reacting to the slightest signs of a problem. Most often you may encounter:
- problems starting the engine,
- loss of power,
- increased oil consumption.
Importantly, these kinds of symptoms can appear during normal operation of a petrol engine. So you don’t have to overload your unit to run into problems with the piston rings. If you notice any signs of malfunction, don’t ignore them!
Engine flushes for unblocking the rings
Piston rings don’t always have to be replaced with new ones. In many cases, the problem with their operation is caused by clogging with deposits, which can be easily removed. All you need to do is use specialist engine flushes that will unblock the rings, seal them and, consequently, reduce oil burning. So if your mechanic has determined that replacing the pistons and overhauling the entire engine is necessary, first try to clean the unit yourself using an engine flush. It may help, and it certainly won’t hurt. The prices of products for cleaning piston rings are not excessive compared to the services of a professional mechanic. It will also be a good idea to use an engine flush every now and then to keep the engine in good condition. Treat it as preventive maintenance designed to extend the life of your car.
