Does milage kill pistons?
Turbo Mini Forums

Another thread has got me thinking.

How many engines will a single set of pistons serve before disintegrating? I mean will the material of the piston begin to degrade over time with regards to small stress cracks appearing.

I am aware that there are many factors that can affect this such as driving style, but assuming the car is never revved to above 5500 rpm in a turbo engine running say 110 bhp

Or does excessive wear usually scrap them before they fail?

Thanks.

Edited by minimole23 on 1st Mar, 2007.

this is an up in the air question

it depends on many factors as you say!

you have to examin the worn parts first to see if they will survive some more punishment metered out to them

in the real world ...once if you are building, every time that super turbod engine

on a budget engine twice at least
depends on the pistons though

forged items wear less by nature around the ring lands

Ahh but dont forged pistons go oval more quickly?

pistons are oval to start with, at the bottom anyway,lol

carl



nitrous oxide and not enough fuel kills pistons,lol.

Edited by fastcarl on 1st Mar, 2007.

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ring side gap, which is tolleranced, increases with use and therefore is sensative to mileage. If a set of pistons is re-rung, the side gap should be checked. if found out of tollerance it could lead to the rings prematurely wearing due to ring movement in the bore.

it has to be said that this is only one issue with life of pistons.

There are others such as:

fatigue in high output engines
wristpin wear, which does become significant especially in high RPM motors
ovality as a result of prolonged heat, especially with forged pistons as mentioned, but can also effect cast pistons. 21251's are renound for this due to the elongated oil slot in the bottom ring.

Edited by andeh on 2nd Mar, 2007.

I've seen the future and tbh its Pie