Honda Accord ESM 2003 · Service Manual Service Manual 2003

Piston Ring Replacement

Piston Ring Replacement

1.Remove the piston from the cylinder block.

2.Using a ring expander (A), remove the old piston rings (B).

SEA3E00A18360245611KBAD01AB

3.Clean all ring grooves thoroughly with a squared-off broken ring or ring groove cleaner with a blade to fit the piston grooves.
The top and 2nd ring grooves are 1.2 mm (0.05 in.) wide. The oil ring groove is 2.0 mm (0.08 in.) wide ( K20A6 engine), 2.5 mm (0.10 in.) wide (K24A3 engine).
File down a blade if necessary.
Do not use a wire brush to clean the ring grooves, or cut the ring grooves deeper with the cleaning tools.

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.

S9A2A00A18360245611KBAD0215-20 mm (0.6-0.8 in. )AB

5.Measure the piston ring end-gap (B) with a feeler gauge:


Piston Ring End-Gap:
Top Ring 
Standard (New): 0.20-0.35 mm
(0.008-0.014 in.)
 
Service Limit: 0.60 mm (0.024 in.) 


Second Ring 
K20A6 engine 
Standard (New): 0.40-0.55 mm
(0.016-0.022 in.)
 
Service Limit: 0.70 mm (0.028 in.) 


K24A3 engine 
Standard (New): 0.50-0.65 mm
(0.020-0.026 in.)
 
Service Limit: 0.75 mm (0.030 in.) 


Oil Ring 
K20A6 engine 
Standard (New): 0.25-0.65 mm
(0.010-0.026 in.)
 
Service Limit: 0.75 mm (0.030 in.) 


K24A3 engine 
Standard (New): 0.20-0.70 mm
(0.008-0.028 in.)
 
Service Limit: 0.80 mm (0.031 in.) 

6.Install the top ring and second ring as shown.The top ring (A) has a 1N or 1R mark and the second ring (B) has a 2N, 2RN or 2R mark. The manufacturing marks (C) must be facing upward.

SEA3E00A18360245611KBAD02ABCABTop Ring (Standard):
A: 3.1 mm (0.12 in.)
B: 1.2 mm (0.05 in.)
Second Ring (Standard):
A: 3.4 mm (0.13 in.)
B: 1.2 mm (0.05 in.)
Piston Ring Dimensions:K20A6
engine
ABK20A6
engine
K24A3
engine
K24A3
engine
C

7.Rotate the rings in their grooves to make sure they do not bind.

8.Position the ring end gaps as shown:

S5T2A00A18360245611KBAD02OIL RING GAPAbout 90°SECOND RING GAPPISTON PINOIL RING GAPAbout 45°TOP RING GAP
and SPACER
RING GAP

9.After installing a new set of rings, measure the ring-to-groove clearances:

Top Ring Clearance
Standard (New): 
K20A6 engine: 0.035-0.060 mm
(0.0014-0.0024 in.)
 
K24A3 engine: 0.045-0.070 mm
(0.0018-0.0005 in.)
 
Service Limit: 0.13 mm (0.005 in.) 


Second Ring Clearance
Standard (New): 
K20A6 engine: 0.030-0.055 mm
(0.0012-0.0022 in.)
 
K24A3 engine: 0.040-0.065 mm
(0.0016-0.0026 in.)
 
Service Limit: 0.13 mm (0.005 in.) 

S9A2A00A18360245611KBAD04