Just got the head off my b18c1 and at the top of the cylinders there is a carbon ring. In cylinders 2 & 4 there is oil leaking down and when i crank it by hand it doesnt scrape the oil off. Does this mean the cylinder rings are bad?? its only cylinder 2 & 4 that is doing this. Are the carbon rings at the top of the cylinders normal? Both are shown in the picture

 

Rings are worn or stuck, a carbon ring would be normal. 94

 

I got a set of brand new OEM nippon rings to put in and was planning on using them. How would I know if theyre stuck? piston moves up and down but just doesnt whipe the oil down. No vertical scratching and maybe very very light glazing. Has 158k

 

You would have to pull the piston to see if rings are stuck, but as you are replacing rings anyway, it makes no diff., if cylinder walls are good, a glazes bust, [light honing] is all you should need. 94

 

Im not even sure if they are glazed. The cylinders look good I will most likely hone the block slightly anyways just to be safe with the new rings.

 

be a good idea to check the ring end gap installed as well.
to do this, slip the ring in the bore, then push it down with the head of the piston about a quarter ways down the bore. then, three quarters. use a feeler gauge to measure the gap. by using the piston to push it down, you assure that it is level in the bore.
compare to spec

 

Was planning on doing this thanks. For the most part will oem rings gap be within spec or do they need to be filed?

 

really depends on the taper of the bore

 

I would not depend on the OEM rings, or any rings for that matter, to be "to spec". 94

 

okay ill double check them then. Ive just heard before people dont have to file oem rings cus they are made to spec but we'll see