How Much Does Replacing Piston Rings Cost?
The piston ring is a split type ring that fits outside the diameter of a piston inside the engine. The main function of a piston ring is to help seal the combustion chamber, support a heat transfer from the piston to the engine, and regulate the engine’s oil consumption. As time goes on, the piston ring can often wear out, needing to be replaced. If this is the case, a mechanic will often need to be called in order to resolve the problem.
How much does it cost to replace piston rings?
The cost to replace piston rings can depend on a number of factors. This can include the make and model of a car, the type of engine, and the condition of the engine. On average, a mechanic can charge anywhere from $1,800 to as much as $3,500+ to replace a worn out piston ring/s. Even though the piston rings are cheap, almost all of the costs will be in the labor involved since it can sometimes take longer than 10 hours to pull apart the engine and put it back together again.
For those who want to complete the job themselves, piston rings will come in a complete set, often retailing for $75 to as much as $200; again, depending on the factors mentioned earlier. At AutoZone, for example, a sealed power piston ring set retails for about $40 to $80. Keep in mind these prices are for the rings and no additional parts that may be necessary to complete the job.
On the forum thread on ModdedMustangs.com, a forum member claimed it will cost around $1,500 to disassemble the motor, around $500 to pull out the piston heads, and another $700 or so to tear down the motor and rebuild it, bringing the total costs close to $2,700 at their local mechanic.
Someone on Car Talk said they were quoted $2,300 to replace the piston rings, resurface the valves and replace the valve seals.
A member on GM-Trucks.com said his service advisor at a local dealership quoted him $3,500 to replace the piston rings in his truck.
Replacing piston rings overview
Before the mechanic considers replacing the piston rings, they will first run a compression test to make sure the rings are the problem. Oftentimes, a valve seal can share similar symptoms as that of a piston ring, so this is why it’s important to run the test to see where the problem is truly coming from. During a compression test, the mechanic will open the spark plug, fill the cylinder with oil, remove the EFI fuse and crank the engine. If the test appears to be good or considered average, then there’s a good chance it’s the piston rings; however, if the test is below average, there could be a problem with the valve seals.
Replacing the piston rings can be a rather complex process, and in some cases, it may not be possible due to the micro finish on the cylinder bores since it won’t “seat” well. The mechanic will have to completely disassemble the car’s engine, recondition the car’s cylinders, and then reassemble all the parts. This is a very labor intensive project, often taking 10+ hours to completely resolve the problem. At $85 to $100 per hour, this alone could be $850+ in labor costs.
What are the extra costs?
The piston rings can be just a part of the problem. A mechanic may also recommend other parts of the engine be replaced such as the pistons and/or gaskets, for example. In fact, there could be times where the mechanic will just outright recommend a new or rebuilt engine altogether as it will be a cheaper route to take.
Tips to know:
If your engine misfires, you see smoke from the exhaust, there’s not enough accelerating power or you’re noticing excessive oil consumption, then this could be a sign your piston rings are going bad. Excessive oil consumption, for example, could be caused by the sludge buildup near the oil control rings. While some special cleaners can sometimes resolve the issue by cleaning the rings, this isn’t always the case.
Usually, when the piston rings start to wear, there’s a good chance other parts within the engine are going to fail soon or later.
How can I save money?
Talk with a mechanic before replacing the piston heads. More often than not, some may recommend that you replace the entire motor rather than just the piston heads because there will be times when replacing the piston rings won’t resolve the problem. Even though replacing the engine may sound pricey, it can be a cheaper alternative. If a piston ring is worn or broken it can’t be repaired. To do the job right, you may have to install new pistons, along with the rings and newer bearings.
If you are going to hire a mechanic, try getting a few quotes over the phone. Simply tell them the make and model of your car, the condition of the engine, and what needs to be done if you understand the problem. While some may want to see it in person, many will be happy to give you a ballpark estimate over the phone.
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