How to tell if ringlands are bad?

Ringlands, also known as piston rings, are an essential component of an engine's internal combustion system. They play a crucial role in maintaining the engine's efficiency and performance. If the ringlands are in poor condition, it can lead to various issues that can ultimately affect the engine's overall health. In this article, we'll explore the signs and symptoms that indicate when ringlands are bad and what you can do about it.

What are Ringlands?

Ringlands, or piston rings, are the circular grooves on a piston that hold the piston rings in place. These rings create a tight seal between the piston and the cylinder wall, allowing the engine to generate the necessary compression and power. Ringlands are made of durable materials, such as cast iron or steel, to withstand the high temperatures and pressures inside the engine.

Signs of Bad Ringlands

There are several signs that can indicate the presence of bad ringlands in an engine. These include:

• Excessive Oil Consumption: If the engine is consuming more oil than usual, it could be a sign of worn or damaged ringlands. This can cause oil to leak past the piston rings and into the combustion chamber, leading to increased oil consumption.


• Blue Exhaust Smoke: Blue exhaust smoke is often a telltale sign of oil burning, which can be caused by worn or damaged ringlands. This occurs when oil is able to pass through the piston rings and into the combustion chamber.


• Loss of Engine Power: Damaged or worn ringlands can cause a loss of engine power, as the piston rings are unable to create an effective seal, reducing the engine's compression and efficiency.


• Increased Emissions: Faulty ringlands can lead to increased emissions, as the engine is unable to effectively contain the combustion process, allowing unburnt fuel and oil to escape through the exhaust.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to have your engine inspected by a qualified mechanic to determine the root cause and address the issue before it leads to more serious problems.

Causes of Bad Ringlands

There are several factors that can contribute to the deterioration of ringlands, including:

• Excessive Heat: The high temperatures and pressures inside the engine can cause the ringlands to wear down over time, leading to a loss of seal and increased oil consumption.


• Abrasive Wear: Contaminants in the engine oil, such as dirt or metal particles, can cause abrasive wear on the ringlands, leading to their eventual failure.


• Piston Ring Sticking: If the piston rings become stuck in the ringlands, it can cause the rings to wear down prematurely, leading to a loss of seal and increased oil consumption.


• Overheating: Prolonged periods of engine overheating can cause the ringlands to become distorted or damaged, leading to a loss of seal and increased oil consumption.

By addressing the underlying causes of bad ringlands, you can help extend the life of your engine and maintain its optimal performance.

Addressing Bad Ringlands

If you suspect that your engine's ringlands are in poor condition, the best course of action is to have a qualified mechanic inspect the engine and determine the appropriate course of action. In some cases, the ringlands may be able to be repaired or replaced, while in more severe cases, the engine may need to be rebuilt or replaced entirely.

Preventive maintenance, such as regular oil changes and engine tune-ups, can also help extend the life of your engine's ringlands and prevent premature wear or damage.

Will compression tests show bad piston rings?

A compression test will confirm the state of your rings -- good or bad. If you pull the head, you can check how much wear there is in the cylinder walls. If you tear down the engine sufficiently to remove the rings, you might as well buy new ones.

What are the symptoms of Ringland failure?

Symptoms of ringland failure include excessive oil consumption, poor engine performance, engine knocking or misfires, and blue or white smoke from the exhaust. This occurs when the piston ringland cracks, allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber and creating excessive pressure in the crankcase. Symptoms like rough idling, low power, and increased oil burning can also be present.
 
Symptoms to watch for:

• Excessive oil consumption: The engine may use a lot of oil, sometimes without visible smoke from the exhaust. 
• Poor engine performance: This can include loss of power, poor acceleration, and sluggishness. 
• Engine knocking or misfires: You may hear knocking or rattling sounds, and the engine might run unevenly or shake, especially at idle. 
• Excessive smoke: Blue or white smoke from the tailpipe, especially when the engine is running or accelerating, is a strong indicator. 
• Increased crankcase pressure: This can lead to oil leaks or oil coming out of the oil filler cap, or oil in the air intake. 
• Check engine light: While a check engine light can appear due to related issues, some symptoms like knocking may occur before a light comes on. 

What to do if you suspect ringland failure:

• Stop driving the car: Continuing to drive with a suspected ringland failure can cause more severe and catastrophic damage, potentially leading to a complete engine failure. 
• Check the oil level: Low oil levels are a significant sign of oil consumption, which can be caused by ringland failure. 
• Consult a professional: Take the vehicle to a mechanic for a proper diagnosis. A mechanic can confirm the issue, which will likely require the engine to be dismantled to replace the pistons and rings. 

What are signs of bad piston rings?

Signs of bad piston rings include excessive oil consumption, blue or gray smoke from the exhaust, poor engine performance with a loss of power and acceleration, and a decrease in engine compression which can lead to misfires and hard starting. You may also notice unusual engine noises or poor fuel economy.
 
Key symptoms

• Excessive oil consumption: This happens when worn rings allow oil to leak into the combustion chamber and get burned off. 
• Discolored exhaust smoke: Thick, dark gray or blue smoke is a strong indicator that oil is burning in the combustion chamber, often accompanied by a burning oil smell. 
• Poor engine performance: You may notice sluggish acceleration, a general loss of power, or the engine shuddering or stalling. 
• Low compression: Worn piston rings fail to create a proper seal, leading to a loss of compression, which can result in hard starting and misfires. 
• Increased oil leaks: A failure in the seals can lead to higher crankcase pressure, causing oil to leak around engine seals. 
• Poor fuel economy: A loss of engine efficiency due to poor compression can lead to a noticeable drop in your vehicle's fuel efficiency. 

What causes Subaru Ringland failure?

Subaru ringland failure is primarily caused by detonation from a combination of factors, including improper tuning, using low-octane fuel, and an engine condition that creates excessive heat and pressure. Other contributing factors include a lack of proper engine break-in, excessive oil vapor entering the intake from blow-by, and poor break-in procedures.
 
This video explains what ringland failure is and what causes it: 52sFlatironsTuningYouTube · May 12, 2022
Primary causes

• Detonation: This is a phenomenon where the fuel-air mixture ignites prematurely, causing a shockwave that damages pistons. 
  • Improper tuning: The factory tune on many Subaru models runs too lean under certain high-load conditions, which increases combustion temperatures and can lead to detonation. 
  • Low-octane fuel: Using fuel with a lower octane rating than recommended can cause the mixture to detonate before the spark plug fires. 
• Blow-by and oil vapor: Turbocharged engines produce more blow-by gases, which carry oil vapor into the intake system. This can dilute the fuel mixture and increase the likelihood of knock. 
• Engine stress:
  • Prolonged hard driving: Driving aggressively, especially for extended periods, can put excessive stress on the engine. 
  • High load at low RPMs: Applying high boost (e.g., 14-18 PSI) at low engine speeds (e.g., 3000 RPM) puts the engine in a high-stress situation. 

This video explains how to prevent ringland failure: 57sEvan ShanksYouTube · Jan 25, 2016
Contributing factors

• Poor break-in: Not properly breaking in the engine according to manufacturer specifications can prevent components from seating correctly. 
• Vacuum leaks: A vacuum leak can lead to a lean running condition, which can cause detonation. 
• Engine overheating: While not a direct cause of ringland failure, overheating can contribute to the conditions that cause it. 
• Worn parts: Cylinder taper or worn ring grooves can exacerbate the problem.