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Ed,
Thanks for the insight into these seemingly simple little metal "bracelets".
I measured the bright shiny lip as best as I could but I think someone mentioned
that being .020 inch. Hard to be sure you're measuring edge to edge with old eyes.
I will replace the rings to be on the safe side. Factory manual talks about the springs
for these having cream and blue paint but mine didn't have any. They looked the same
and I thought I got them in the correct position...but....
Jim
On Fri, 19 Aug 2005 23:21:22 -0400, Ed Anderson wrote:
Jim,
The metal rings that retain the oil "O" rings have a very small
range (in my opinion) operational spec. I have measured them even
after 100 hours and found them to be just within the spec. I
suspect that they wear quickly when seating in new side housings
and then the wear factor drops way down. But, I have never taken
apart an used engine and found the metal rings reusable (based on
the Mazda spec for wear). Not to say they would not work - but
they were not within the Mazda specs for wear.
They have a rather sharp metal ridge (actually the edge of the
metal ring) that rides against the side housing (and scraps off and
seals the oil in the center housing from the combustion chamber).
This ridge/edge will show a bright wear mark. The width of this
worn spot on the outer surface of the ring determines (according to
the Mazda manual) whether the Metal "O" ring holders are within
specs. Apparently when this ridge wears flat enough then there is
sufficient flat surface area for the rings to hydroplane on the oil
rather than scraping it off the wall (just a WAG on my part).
But, if you are burning oil, then my bet is the metal "O" ring
holders.
Ed A
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