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HOMESERVICE MANUALSHONDA2002CIVIC SIREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISEXTERNAL PAGESDIFFERENT CARSECTION 131 (ENGINE BLOCK)PISTON RING REPLACEMENT
2002 Honda Civic Si

Piston Ring Replacement

2002 Honda Civic SiSECTION Piston Ring Replacement
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Honda Odyssey and 2005 Honda Odyssey. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Remove the piston from the engine block (see CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON REMOVAL  ).
  2. Using a ring expander (A), remove the old piston rings (B).
    Fig 1: Removing Old Piston Rings Using Ring Expander
    G03704048Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  3. Clean all the ring grooves thoroughly with a squared-off broken ring, or a ring groove cleaner with a blade to fit the piston grooves. File down the blade, if necessary. The top ring and second ring grooves are 1.2 mm (0.05 in.) wide, and the oil ring groove is 2.8 mm (0.11 in.) wide. Do not use a wire brush to clean the ring grooves, or cut the ring grooves deeper with the cleaning tool.
    NOTE: If the piston is to be separated from the connecting rod, do not install new rings yet.
  4. Using a piston, push a new ring (A) into the cylinder bore 15-20 mm (0.6-0.8 in.) from the bottom.
    Fig 2: Pushing New Ring Into Cylinder Bore Using Piston
    G03704049Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  5. Measure the piston ring end-gap (B) with a feeler gauge:
    • If the gap is too small, check to see if you have the proper rings for your engine.
    • If the gap is too large, recheck the cylinder bore diameter against the wear limits (see step  4 ). If the bore is over the service limit, the engine block must be rebored.
    1. Piston Ring End-Gap 
    2. Top Ring: 
      • Standard (New): 0.20-0.35 mm (0.008-0.014 in.) 
      • Service Limit: 0.60 mm (0.024 in.) 
    3. Second Ring: 
      • Standard (New): 0.40-0.55 mm (0.016-0.022 in.) 
      • Service Limit: 0.70 mm (0.028 in.) 
    4. Oil Ring: 
      • Standard (New): 0.20-0.70 mm (0.008-0.028 in.) 
      • Service Limit: 0.80 mm (0.031 in.) 
  6. Install the rings as shown in Fig 3 . The top ring (A) has a 1D mark and the second ring (B) has a 2C mark. The manufacturing marks (C) must be facing upward.
    Fig 3: Identifying Rings
    G03704050Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  7. After installing a new set of rings, measure the ring-to-groove clearance:
    1. Top Ring Clearance 
      • Standard (New): 0.055-0.080 mm (0.0022-0.0031 in.) 
      • Service Limit: 0.15 mm (0.006 in.) 
    2. Second Ring Clearance 
      • Standard (New): 0.030-0.055 mm (0.0012-0.0022 in.) 
      • Service Limit: 0.13 mm (0.005 in.) 
    Fig 4: Measuring Ring-To-Groove Clearance
    G03704051Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  8. Rotate the rings in their grooves to make sure they do not bind.
  9. Position the ring end gaps as shown in Fig 5 .
    Fig 5: Positioning Ring End Gaps
    G03704052Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
RENDER: 1.0x

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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.