My next step was to remove the spark plugs. When removing one of these, I found water. There was definitely water on the outside of the spark plug. There was also some water inside the cylinder but I think this was caused by me removing the spark plug and allowing the water to fall in. I don’t think there was water in there before but I have no way of knowing. My intention is to replace all the gaskets anyway.
I then followed the instructions for the crank and cam positions before removing the timing belt. I also made my own marks and took loads of photos to help when it goes back together.
The next challenge was removing the head bolts. “Use a standard 12mm socket” it says but I just couldn’t get it to fit. A larger socket went on but would have rounded the bolts. After a lot of thinking, I came to the realisation that my idea of a standard socket was a 6 pointed one but a standard 12mm 12 pointed socket fit perfectly!
Once the head was removed, i got a good look in the cylinders and could see the water which I believe I let in when taking the spark plug out.
To test the piston rings (one of the cylinders had slightly low compression but I couldn’t remember which one as it was so long ago that I tested it) I put some oil in. The next morning, 2 cylinders were completely empty(1 and 4) and the other 2 seemed unchanged (2, 3). The 2 that retained the oil, kept it for several days until I cleaned them out. Not completely sure how well oil should be held but the difference suggests to me that something isn’t right!
Once cleaned up a little, I turned the engine on it’s side and then removed the sump.
Not sure what this is on the oil pick up (it seemed like little bits of plastic) but it can’t be good!
The piston rings weren’t very clean and the oil control rings were completely flush with the piston.
I then cleaned up the sump, baffle, oil pick up, pistons and replaced the piston rings. Pushing the cylinders back in initially presented a challenge but slowly worked out the technique using the piston ring compressor and tapping the piston in with the handle of a rubber hammer.
New piston rings in place