how to get rings unstuck with piston out of motor?

jbjennings

Captain
Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Messages
3,903
Well,
I'm piddling with a merc 4.5hp that I was given a while back. It had 60psi of compression with both rings totally stuck. (I don't know how this is possible, but it did). I finally decided to split the case today and found the rings totally stuck. I can't even extract all of the pieces or even move one of the rings with a scredriver. I'm soaking it in carb cleaner. IS there any other tricks I might use? A little heat, maybe?
BTW, I've heard that this little merc should start with 60psi, but I can tell you for a fact that it won't even make a pop.:)
I've got some new rings ordered off of fleabay for 10$ including shipping. Am looking forward to it running again if I can get the old rings out without harming the piston.
Thanks,
JBJ
 

Sunfish12

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 6, 2011
Messages
260
Re: how to get rings unstuck with piston out of motor?

Try soaking it in PBblaster, it's really good stuff.
 

saumon

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
1,452
Re: how to get rings unstuck with piston out of motor?

Pure Seafoam or Merc Powertune. That's their first purpose (to free stuck rings) but usually, we don't have an easy access like you have now...
 

jbjennings

Captain
Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Messages
3,903
Re: how to get rings unstuck with piston out of motor?

I soaked it in carb cleaner and applied a little heat and was able to work them out with a lot of force. I've got the ring lands soaking still and I believe it's going to clean up just fine. I look forward to running it. Thanks for the ideas.
JBJ
 

CharlieB

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 10, 2007
Messages
5,617
Re: how to get rings unstuck with piston out of motor?

Soak it in Berryman's' carb cleaner, it will eat all the carbon out of the ring lands.
 

saumon

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
1,452
Re: how to get rings unstuck with piston out of motor?

As you already ordered new rings, the best tool for cleaning and removing the carbon deposits in the ring groove is a piece of an old ring.
 
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