Signs of occurrence
The primary cause of ring coke is soot building up in the piston grooves, which typically leads to higher engine oil consumption. In addition to the oil burner, several other indicators point to the rings’ condition:
- blue or grey smoke from the exhaust;
- noticeable power loss.
<li:difficult cold starts;
A compression test helps confirm the issue. If readings fall below 11 bar in a modern engine, it signals a poor seal between the piston and cylinder. Compression testing is the first essential step in diagnosing engine problems. Preventing piston ring sticking is easier than fixing it, so understanding basic prevention is worthwhile.
1. Choosing the Right Oil
When selecting engine oil, follow the vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines. The oil’s viscosity must align with the piston ring design and the size of the drain holes in both the rings and the piston. Oils should be chosen with a comfortable margin around the recommended temperature range, rather than pushing to the limit. Seasonal oil changes are beneficial for regions with strong temperature swings. For frequent travelers, it is practical to top up with thicker oils in spring and thinner ones in autumn.
2. Change the oil on time
Fresh oil provides reliable protection against wear and deposits. Over time, performance declines and the oil itself can create deposits that contribute to ring coking. Oxidation, soot, moisture, and unburnt fuel accumulate in used oil. Old oil stops flushing the piston ring holes and may instead form seals, especially at low speeds under high loads. The deterioration accelerates like an avalanche; once it starts, it tends to continue.
Many engines show carbon deposits after extensive use, yet rings may retain mobility when regular oil changes are performed. How to avoid this phenomenon? Oil should be changed more frequently, focusing on engine hours rather than mileage. Mineral oils typically tolerate about 150 hours of operation before losing protective properties; synthetic oils extend this to roughly 300 hours. If oil consumption accelerates in the first 5,000 km and the dipstick level drops quickly, the oil has likely lost its properties and should be replaced promptly.
3. We refuel high-quality fuel
To preserve piston ring mobility, use high-quality fuel with an octane rating that meets or exceeds the manufacturer’s recommendation, and consider detergents in the fuel. Poor quality gasoline with high resin content can cause injector coking, leading to incomplete combustion and oil contamination. Gas, propane-butane mixtures, and methane tend to leave engines cleaner inside, reducing the incidence of ring sticking in many cases.
4. We don’t disdain additives
Even high-quality fuel can degrade if mishandled during transport, storage, or sale. Official dealers often advise detergent additives during each maintenance, especially for owners who refuel at non-brand stations. Soft cleaners are suitable if the fuel system has never been flushed, such as when purchasing a used car. Stronger additives may be necessary if performance drops soon after refueling. Combustion catalysts can help burn heavier fuel fractions.
5. We work carefully
Avoid short trips. If a car travels less than 8 km per drive, moisture and fuel can remain in the engine oil and degrade its properties. Plan at least one longer trip each day. Weekly, take a drive on a country road to allow higher load and engine speeds, which helps the oil scraper rings remove more oil from the cylinder walls. At higher speeds, oil splashing in the crankcase is more vigorous. In hot weather, even non-turbo engines should be able to run briefly at low speed after a high-speed run; when the engine stops, coolant circulation ends and oil in hot piston grooves can burn, form soot, and reduce ring mobility. Following these straightforward rules helps prevent piston ring coke and avoids addressing oil consumption in relatively young engines.
- Behind the wheel can also be read in Telegram.