freeing seized rings
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 118
Likes: 2
From: rancho cucamonga ca
The only way to do this right - and with a minimum of frustration and risk of additional damage - is to open her up, pull the pistons and inspect everything. If the rings are frozen, you can clean the parts the right way. If the rings or bores are damaged, you'll see it immediately and not have to waste time with "miracle" cures. You'll also have a third option if the bores are undamaged, and that would be a quick hone and new rings. This plus new valve seals can buy another 100K on an older motor.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 161
Likes: 17
From: Georgia
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
Wd-40
Just shoot about 2 ounces of WD-40 into each of the cylinders (thru the spark plug holes) and let it soak for about a week. Snap some Vice-Grips onto the flex plate (or flywheel) teeth and rock it back and forth until it breaks loose. The longer the WD-40 is in contact with the bore/rings the freer it'll get.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the piston rings were rusted to the cylinder walls, and no penetrant was squirted into the cylinders BEFORE trying to start it, the rings could well be broken or cracked.
No way to tell from the outside. But if you have damaged piston rings, it will only do more damage by running the engine.
If the engine has lots of miles on it, the rings could just be worn out. Only way to know for sure is to open it up and remove the pistons.
Choices: add oil every now and then and cross your fingers; OR rebuild the engine.
No way to tell from the outside. But if you have damaged piston rings, it will only do more damage by running the engine.
If the engine has lots of miles on it, the rings could just be worn out. Only way to know for sure is to open it up and remove the pistons.
Choices: add oil every now and then and cross your fingers; OR rebuild the engine.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Mar 5, 2016 at 03:23 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
I have an Enclave that uses 1qt.of oil every 2k miles since 20K, had dealer check...they did an engine soak on the cylinders. ..freed rings up then ran 3k didn't use a drop...said carbon build up in direct injection engines is the problem. It's using oil again now so I'm going to try the TCW3 treatment for a while. Glad to hear someone has tried this without negative effects.
Jim
Jim
Specifically the SS Camaro's with an automatic. The engine is a version of the LS3 called the L99. I don't know what the Enclave has in it, but this may be related to your issue vs a problem with ring seal.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 161
Likes: 17
From: Georgia
Hey Jim, I have heard of this issue with other GM engines that use cylinder deactivation for fuel economy.
Specifically the SS Camaro's with an automatic. The engine is a version of the LS3 called the L99. I don't know what the Enclave has in it, but this may be related to your issue vs a problem with ring seal.
Specifically the SS Camaro's with an automatic. The engine is a version of the LS3 called the L99. I don't know what the Enclave has in it, but this may be related to your issue vs a problem with ring seal.
did the top end clean it used no oil for 3k miles. It's a known problem with these DI engines, carbon buildup.
Thanks for the input.
Jim
