Piston rings the problem?

[panzer]

how can i see if my rings are bad? do i need to check the gap? really want to figure out if theyre bad before trying to track down a set...

 

[bcware]

Is the top end off? Take the rings off the pistons carefully; do not mix them up. The rings are directional and they also need to go back on the same piston, but I digress. Take the rings off and stick them in their respective barrel, one at a time, about an inch or so from the top. The rings need to be square, so use a piston to push them in or carefully measure all the way around the circumference. Use a feeler gauge and you're done.

 

[panzer]

top end is not off, i was hoping my problem wasnt internal, but my compression tests were low, and the one problem cylinder was low low, and i have some blow by so this leads me to think thats its piston rings. i want to measure first though.

 

[panzer]

do you happen to know the proper gap should be?

 

[lhaolpa]

End gap installed is 0.2-0.4mm/0.008-0.016".oil control is 0.2-0.9/0.0012-0.0028". lha

 

[panzer]

thanks!