TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Aug 19, 2015 6:10 pm

I have a question I'm sure that's been asked 1000 times. Should I install my new pistons and cylinders dry or with a film of oil? I've read posts about this topic and I get 2 schools of thought. My heads are in the shop but should be done soon and I would like to feel confident I'm assembling this thing right. My engine is a 1600 dp if that makes any difference. Thanks for any input, guys (and girls).

Wed Aug 19, 2015 6:18 pm

Thin film of oil.....Rust never sleeps...

Dale

Wed Aug 19, 2015 6:20 pm

Anyone building dry engines, well I'd question their training. Counting military I've had well over 40 plus years as a mechanic and I have never heard of that school of thought. I'd be real interested to hear the logic behind not using oil. Sounds more like a snipe hunt to me. :D

Wed Aug 19, 2015 6:42 pm

I couldn't believe it either, but I've read that its been done with no adverse affects. The theory, as I gather, is that the rings will seat better. The same people say that oil will hinder the rings to seat. This is the first acvw I've dug into this far so I'm at the mercy of the people. I get this one done, then I'll know what the heck I'm getting into next time.

Wed Aug 19, 2015 6:56 pm

I wonder if they are talking about simply using them right out of the box without checking ring gaps. I have seen this done. Just knocked the piston down far enough to install the wrist pin. To me it's Russian roulette, you might get away with it because those cylinders are splash lubed pretty quick but what about those gaps not to mention the grit and cosmoline left in at the factory. Nothing is assembly clean out of the box. The same guy I saw doing this set end play by feel and often times didn't bother with a torque wrench. Hack mechanics will always be with us. Unfortunately VWs by nature of being an economy car draw in a fair number of hacks and cheap bastards.

Wed Aug 19, 2015 9:48 pm

I won't mention names, but I know real pros who have a great reputation, that install bone dry. Not straight out of the box; cleaned, measured, and installed. Their thought is that the oil will reach it's destination before anything catastrophic happens.

An awesome racer/builder I know only coats the skirts with oil, but he never uses standard rings.

I, personally LIGHTLY oil the barrels, after completely blueprinting everything, and cleaning up the factory hone job. When the piston goes down the barrel to install the next one, I wipe off that pool at the top of the barrel.

Thu Aug 20, 2015 2:46 am

Assembling the rings with synthetic oil can be a problem for the rings to seal, I use mineral oil after an engine failed to seal with synthetic.

I know other specialist mechanics who have experienced the same problem and only use mineral oil during the running in process as well.