Ring wash

sparks · #1 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 02:50 PM

Ring Wash, What exactly does it mean ?I think gas in oil. Is this because carbs out of adj or to much gas when starting car ? To rich ? Is there a cure ? Does driving car burn off any of the gas in oil ? Does changing oil more freq. help ???

Blas · #2 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 03:01 PM

Comes in gallon jugs and is usually next to the blinker fluid concentrate refills..

Hotfingrs · #3 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 03:58 PM

Usually it's the carb's fault. Dumping to much fuel in cylinder. Washes oil off cylinder walls, wearing out rings and losing seal.

sllib · #4 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 04:09 PM

www.KaleCoAuto.com

sparks · #5 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 06:09 PM

Being the carbs fault,does that mean its to rich or is it comon on bigger carb engines.

Doug I · #6 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 10:28 PM

It's a sign of a way too rich mixture. It's not confined to any particular engine size. It can happen when the carb is grossly oversized for the engine as it simply dumps too much fuel down the holes, but you'll also get it when a carb is over-jetted or badly mis-adjusted for the engine and conditions. An oversized intake can also contribute, but that's not nearly so common.

HTH's

sparks · #7 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 11:27 PM

wouldnt the car run poorly if it was that bad ?

Hotfingrs · #8 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 03:31 AM

Not necessarily. I've had it happen to me. I put on a brand new carb, from a very reputable aftermarket supplier, they advertise on this forum. This carb was "made" for my engine. The engine was a new engine also. Started the engine and the car ran fine. It was a month before I could get to the dyno, and the A/F was such the 4 jet sizes had to be pulled out of each end, but by that time the damage was done.

undy · #9 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 05:12 AM

It also can happen when your fuel regulator goes snafu and you put 10lbs of fuel pressure to your float valve lifting Holley. You end up with 1 or 2 - 1/8" streams of fuel running down yer engine's gullet. That'll wash the snot out of a set of rings.. not to mention destroying your engine oil's lubricity too..

or.... simply a piece of trash under one of the said valve seats..

or... a dead/unfiring plug

or... no compression in a/several cylinders, i.e. unburnt fuel,

Typically ring wash IS NOT caused by a carb's rich mixture.

Silverback51 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by undy

It also can happen when your fuel regulator goes snafu and you put 10lbs of fuel pressure to your float valve lifting Holley. You end up with 1 or 2 - 1/8" streams of fuel running down yer engine's gullet. That'll wash the snot out of a set of rings.. not to mention destroying your engine oil's lubricity too..

or.... simply a piece of trash under one of the said valve seats..

or... a dead/unfiring plug

or... no compression in a/several cylinders, i.e. unburnt fuel,

Typically ring wash IS NOT caused by a carb's rich mixture.

You are correct. It's caused by non-atomized fuel in the cylinder. There are many causes for this.

Gasoline if it's still liquid will not burn. If it does not burn, it desolves the oil on the cylinder wall.

289ERAkit · #11 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 06:01 AM

Excellent info.....I had that over carb question in the back of my mind for a month now...you answered it.

So.....what happens if you under carb an engine? Any damage? tx mike

trularin · #12 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 06:02 AM

You get it when the power valve sticks open.

Once fixed, it is recommended to do an oil change and, if necessary, to put a "squirt" of ATF in each cylinder.

I was told this was called, "flooding" ( nothing to do with North Dakoda ) or "cylinder wash". Ring wash makes sense though.

You mean like "lean burn" the engine and make a real mess if it?

289ERAkit · #13 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 06:07 AM

Yes....I guess that would lean the mixture out ..I think this would cause the engine to run hot. What exactly would happen over a period of time. mike

Wayne Maybury · #14 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 06:15 AM

Constant starting and stopping a cold engine that isn't allowed to properly warm up can also cause gas washing of the cylinder walls, especially if the carb is equipped with a choke. You know the scene at a car show; wow nice car, must sound great. Sure does, I'll fire it up for you. Pump the peddle once or twice, fire it up, let it run for 10 seconds, shut it down. 5 minutes later, wow nice car, must sound great.........etc. Result an accumulation of unburned gas in the cylinders.

Wayne

Clois Harlan · #15 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 06:18 AM

I have had two engine builders tell me early in my Cobra life that the Edelbrock carbs are notorious for this and that a Holley was a much better choice of carbs. As mentioned above the oversizing of carbs contributes to washing down your cylinders as much as a faulty carb out of adjustment. Doesn't take long to really screw your engine up.

Clois

sparks · #16 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 08:12 AM

So a dyno tune is deff the way to go then ,correct? The sniffer will figure all of this out ?
I mean if the carb is set properly?

sparks · #17 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 09:40 AM

I've decided to bring the car over to Dan Mroz in merrillville indiana for a dyno tune and maybe a rear seal as soon as my new pipes come in. Price is fair and seems to have a good rep....

Doug I · #18 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 09:53 AM

The sniffer won't give you definitive answers if you're getting a 'ring wash' condition - but it will sure tell you that something is amiss and to start looking. Your dyno numbers will be down too. Way down.