Piston Rings, how much do I need to do?

[Skateguy50]

Okay... I tend to do only what I need to get by but am looking for advise before I am stuck doing top end rebuild #3 in the near future.

Last summer I used a cheap gasket set to fix a leaky base & head gasket. That worked for a few thousand miles and finally after 6k miles I got back into it.

I got everything apart last night, seemed the head was missing 2 washers... I put the 2 that came with the kit in and assumed that was all I needed, my new oem has 4 so the leaks at the front corners seemed to be from that. The base gasket was toast though, cracks all over and pieces missing.

Anyways, got the new gasket down, slowly put the cylinders back over with a friend helping, compressed the outer rings no problem and when I had the ring compressor on #2 the ring on #3 bound up and cracked. I could not find the piece in my rags and it might have dropped down... can I fish for it with a magnet? will it find its way to the bottom?

Well the question is... I need 1 ring set for sure now, but do I need to do all 4? also can I just put new rings in or do I have to hone the cylinders as well? I am afraid if I do to much I might damage more than I fix... and want to RIDE. summer engine work is always a pain but didnt want to leak all the way to the Moosehead Rally.

So basic info, 83 GS650 GL, bikes got 31k miles on it, I checked the shims before tear down and adjusted but they where all in spec but the low end, got them up to .05-.08 range now. Never really had a compression issue, never tested but never ran bad other than the leaks.

Thanks.

[Skateguy50]

Gave Sean Pringle (forum member and runs a shop working on these bikes) a call and think I am leaning towards the suck it up and replace the rings while I am here plan.

Its at 31k miles and the second time I am doing the gaskets, I would like to seal this engine up and never open it again... and putting new rings in now would help with that plan at least well into the 50-60k range.

[Nessism]

I'd definetly use new rings and replace the valve stem seals if you haven't already done so. Have the cylinder bottle brush honed before the rings get installed too.

[Skateguy50]

Whats involved on the valve stem seals? I skipped over that part of the book...

I ordered the 4 ring sets and the dealer will do the hone for $45 if I bring them the cylinders. I trust them to do it better than me.

I looked at the left over parts from my gasket kit and I have the valve stem seals already... now I got no excuses and it gives me something to do while I wait for the rings to come in next week. I got the book, I'll figure it out.

Thanks.

[Nessism]

Whats involved on the valve stem seals? I skipped over that part of the book...

I ordered the 4 ring sets and the dealer will do the hone for $45 if I bring them the cylinders. I trust them to do it better than me.

$45 for a hone job? You can buy your own hone for less than that and throw it in your tool box for future work - or make it available here for rent!

It's extremely easy to do a hone job, check this place and their video's... http://www.enginehones.com/fl2to2.html

[Skateguy50]

I read up on it before, and yea its more than the hone but I don't want to do it wrong and have to open the engine up again.

Most of these projects I will do on my own, but I have to draw the line somewhere and so far that's been tires and now this. $45 might be a lot for the job but overall its not a lot compared to paying a shop to do the entire engine job for me.

It seems like its an all or nothing deal that you learn over time.

[hampshirehog]

Don't worry about the honing - I was doing it when I was 12 years old and knew nothing. It's really easy and if it's your first time you'll take extra care anyway.

As for the broken bit of ring, try pouring a bit of engine oil on your crank and slowly turning the motor over. Chances are it'll stick to the oil and come up to the top. Have a few goes at this (be patient - it works maybe 75% of the time in the end). If it doesn't work drop the sump, remove the gauze filter and flush the crankcase through with some diesel or similar, catching what comes out in a bucket.

Valve stem seals are a steady job - just takes a bit of thought and time. If you follow the manual and take your time it's not too bad for a first timer. Various techniques for popping the collets back in (which can be fiddly) - if you get stuck just ask on here. The old seals can be a b*gger to get off sometimes as well - don't use too much force if they don't budge - again, just ask on here.

[kirkn]

Don't worry about the honing - I was doing it when I was 12 years old and knew nothing. It's really easy and if it's your first time you'll take extra care anyway.

As for the broken bit of ring, try pouring a bit of engine oil on your crank and slowly turning the motor over. Chances are it'll stick to the oil and come up to the top. Have a few goes at this (be patient - it works maybe 75% of the time in the end). If it doesn't work drop the sump, remove the gauze filter and flush the crankcase through with some diesel or similar, catching what comes out in a bucket.

Valve stem seals are a steady job - just takes a bit of thought and time. If you follow the manual and take your time it's not too bad for a first timer. Various techniques for popping the collets back in (which can be fiddly) - if you get stuck just ask on here. The old seals can be a b*gger to get off sometimes as well - don't use too much force if they don't budge - again, just ask on here.

A big +1 on all that advice. You can do it!

[Skateguy50]

sounds good... but to save $10 not sure its worth it. Sure I will have the hone to do it again but I hope to never open the engine again either.