piston rings

[raj]

hi, could any one tell me if replacing the piston rings is a hard job and any tips please.

thanx

[raj]

oh yeah its a mk2 gti 8valve

[Blue MK2]

kidda Raj?

Sounds like a big job mate. Why u wanna change them?

[golfvr6]

You can change piston rings with engine still in the car. Remove the cylinder head and the sump. Turn the engine till the crankpin is at the bottom, undo the big end bearing bolts, tap the piston out with the wooden end of a hammer. Best to check the bores for wear and size too.

[raj]

the reason i want to change them is i am not getting any compression from plugs 1&2, and 3 is low aswell.
i have taken the cylinder head of and thats getting a recon. i was also told to change my piston rings because if the problem ain't in the head the piston will be the problem.
is there away to see if pistons are in workin order without taking them out.
cheers for your help guys

[modulater]

If you've gone to the trouble of taking the head of for a recon then I would look into taking the bottom end out also and having that checked. The compression test you did I think answered your own questions regarding the bottom end condition. You can do it in situ as VR6 said but I would take it out and do it properly.

More to the point whats the condition of the big end and main bearings?

[mk1]

You are most of the way there, as said by vr6, drop the sump off remove, the big end bolts and bearing cap, push the pistons out the top. Clean out the ring "lands" and fit new rings. Hone the bores, always replace the b/end shells and mark everything so it goes back in the same place. You will need a piston ring compressor to refit the pistons and a torque wrench for the b/ends and head bolts.
Steve.