At 06:37 AM 5/14/98 -0700, you wrote:
>Hi Volks Folks,
>
> Have any of you ever cut a new piston ring that is too big to fit in the
>cylinder?   I have a set of new piston rings (German made, ordered from Bus
>Depot) and the middle (corrugated-like) ring is too big to fit.  The 2
>outer rings fit fine.  It looks like it could be easily trimmed but this
>seems like a strange thing to have to do and the instructions don't
>indicate anything other than the order they go in.  I  replaced the rings
>on one cylinder a couple years ago with a generic  set that fit fine.  I
>still have the three sets I didn't use from that time and they all fit
>perfectly.  The German made ones would have to be cut about 5mm to fit and
>leave some end gap.  Part numbers have all been double checked and these
>are the ones for my 91 Vanagon, 2.1 engine.
>Any thoughts?
> Thanks.
>
>John Nyquist

AHHH! DON'T DO IT!

The corrigated ring is supposed to be 'too big' When you install it with
the emds touching (NOT overlapped!) it looks like it will never fit. After
you put the two thin steel wiper rings on, it still looks too big, but whne
you squeeze with your ring compressor it will fit fine.

If it won't compress after you get the wiper rings in, check to see that
the ends have not overlapped.

This gadget forces the wiper rings out against the cylinder to scrape the
oil off when the piston goes down. If you fiddle with it, you will probably
end up burning more oil than you should..