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 2009 cooper S piston reinstall

 Created by: AndyB22
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 Posted: Jul 25, 2019 11:42AM
Total posts: 2271
Last post: May 23, 2023
Member since:Dec 29, 2004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyB22
Thanks for reply, yes and found a solution, all rings at 120 degree spacing I found that if the oil rings are within the actual clamp band of the compressor they get squeezed in, so just a 1/8 inch of piston sticking out the bottom, (I had about 1/2 inch) to align with cylinder, LIGHT taps with wood handle on and around the piston, and tapping top of compressor to keep flat, slight wiggle and they all popped in.
Great, and thanks for the update!  

 Posted: Jul 24, 2019 05:10AM
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Thanks for reply, yes and found a solution, all rings at 120 degree spacing I found that if the oil rings are within the actual clamp band of the compressor they get squeezed in, so just a 1/8 inch of piston sticking out the bottom, (I had about 1/2 inch) to align with cylinder, LIGHT taps with wood handle on and around the piston, and tapping top of compressor to keep flat, slight wiggle and they all popped in.

 Posted: Jul 24, 2019 03:48AM
Total posts: 2271
Last post: May 23, 2023
Member since:Dec 29, 2004
Cars in Garage: 1
Photos: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyB22
I am in the process of re-installing the pistons.  I have a 2009 cooper s, it overheated (split hose) I have hew head, head gasket, thermostat, bolts etc.  I re assembled did a compression test, all looked good across all four around 145 psi.  Drove for a couple of weeks, didn't run right so did another compression test to confirm head gasket fit found good compression but inconsistent across all four cylinders, did a leak down test and found about 30% out of engine case, thinking pistons needed inspection, removed head again dropped oil pan and pulled all four pistons, to my surprise they all looked really good as did the cylinder walls.  SOOOOOO trying to compress the oil scraper ring to get back in has been very difficult, I bought a compression tool from Harbor Freight, rings compress fine but for the life of me cannot get the oil rings to compress down, they came out so must go back in. 

You tube make it look easy, any help??????????


Thanks

Andy

Oh and I now have a temperature gauge!!!
It seems the proper ring compressor should make it 'easy'....  since you have installed them once before, it should be the same the second time around.... I trust you tried rotating the rings?  (while keeping the ring gaps aligned properly)

 Posted: Jul 23, 2019 08:57AM
Total posts: 2
Last post: Jul 24, 2019
Member since:Jul 23, 2019
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I am in the process of re-installing the pistons.  I have a 2009 cooper s, it overheated (split hose) I have hew head, head gasket, thermostat, bolts etc.  I re assembled did a compression test, all looked good across all four around 145 psi.  Drove for a couple of weeks, didn't run right so did another compression test to confirm head gasket fit found good compression but inconsistent across all four cylinders, did a leak down test and found about 30% out of engine case, thinking pistons needed inspection, removed head again dropped oil pan and pulled all four pistons, to my surprise they all looked really good as did the cylinder walls.  SOOOOOO trying to compress the oil scraper ring to get back in has been very difficult, I bought a compression tool from Harbor Freight, rings compress fine but for the life of me cannot get the oil rings to compress down, they came out so must go back in. 

You tube make it look easy, any help??????????


Thanks

Andy

Oh and I now have a temperature gauge!!!