How to Buy a Car Piston Ring Set

In any given car, there are a multitude of seals and gaskets that may seem inconsequential at first glance. However, each of these seals serves the very demanding purpose of keeping your car running under pressure. Piston rings are one of the more important sets of seals, and you can practice a little do it yourself auto repair by buying a new set of rings.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Read your auto repair manual and begin disassembling the engine to access the cylinders.

2. Remove and clean the cylinders in kerosene. As you're removing your old piston rings, make sure to keep at least one of each type of piston ring intact, for the sake of comparison. Your car has two compression rings and one oil seal ring in each piston, so be sure to keep at least one of each.

3. Consult your auto repair manual or an auto repair technician to see what piston rings you need to meet factory specifications. This will be expressed as a parts number.

4. Call your local auto parts store with the part number to check price and availability. Don't just check the new rings against the ones you removed from your piston, as there may be differences you don't notice.

5. Compare prices online. Most leading auto stores have websites that will let you check their prices againts competitors. You may also find a privately owned auto parts store that delivers.

6. Contact the nearest dealer of your make of car. They'll have the factory recommended piston rings for your make and model.

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