4 Crucial Signs You Should Change Piston Rings In Your Truck

An engine has a series of rings whose responsibility is to regulate the amount of oil getting into the engine and the oil pressure. If the piston rings are worn out, your truck engine will experience several problems, which, if you assume, can kill your engine. This guide features some of the things that you should watch out for to change piston rings in your truck.

What are Piston Rings?

Piston rings are parts of combustion engines. The piston rings are located between the cylinder wall and the pistons. Their sole responsibility is to offer sealing in the combustion chamber so that the air and fuel mixture burn effectively. The fuel and air mixture ignition forces the piston to move up and down inside the cylinder.

The piston is connected to the connecting rod, which connects to the crankshaft. The up and downward movement of the pistons rotates the crankshaft, which generates the power to propel your vehicle. 

For pistons to work effectively, they must form a tight seal against the cylinder walls. It is the rings that create the seal. As the engine functions, the pistons wear out and fail to offer proper sealing. At this point, you will have to replace the piston rings.

Signs That You Need Change Piston Rings In Your Truck

Worn-out piston rings have signs similar to those of bad valve seals. You will notice the following symptoms when your piston rings are bad. When you see this, then you should change piston rings in your truck.

Production of Too Much Smoke

Production of too much exhaust fume is a serious sign that something is wrong with your engine, and you should not ignore it. When your piston rings are worn out, your truck will produce a thick, dark grey or blue smoke accompanied by the smell of burning oil.

 The oil will escape into the combustion chamber to mix with air and fuel.

Overconsumption of Oil

Bad piston rings leave excess oil to get into the combustion chamber. The oil gets burnt in the combustion chamber, increasing the rate at which your truck consumes oil. You must regularly top up your oil before attaining the correct mileage.

Poor Acceleration

When the piston rings are damaged, your engine’s power will go down because the compression will not effectively take place. When your engine becomes less powerful, you will press the acceleration pedal, but your vehicle will take time to speed up. If such is happening, you need to check the condition of your piston rings.

Reduced Engine Performance

When the compression is not effectively taking place in the combustion chamber, the rate at which your truck accelerates will delay because of ineffective engine rotation. In some cases, your engine might lose all its power, forcing you to tow your truck. Engine stall is common only if you ignore early signs of bad piston rings and continue driving without taking your truck for inspection.

Conclusion

Piston rings play an essential role in the combustion chamber. When they become faulty, your engine can stall. To prevent stalling, you should be keen and take your truck for a mechanical diagnosis if you see any of the above signs.