When even the largest oversized pistons are no longer a solution, because the wear and tear on the cylinder wall has now become too great, you can save an engine by installing a cylinder liner. What problems and challenges will you encounter in the process? What should you definitely pay attention to? The experts at Wilmink Engine Parts provide installation tips in this blog, among other things.

About cylinder liners

If even oversized pistons no longer help, one solution remains: installing cylinder liners. Not an easy job because it involves a few steps. First, the lower block must be drilled up to the correct size so that the cylinder liner will also fit. Next, the cylinder liner must be honed so you can install the matching new pistons and piston rings. There are cylinder liners of various types and sizes, which can be divided into “wet” and “dry” versions. Wet means in direct contact with the engine coolant. Usually these are heavy-duty cylinder liners with thick walls, made of high-quality cast iron. Because installing cylinder liners in the right way involves several parts, Wilmink Engine Parts’ product specialist will be happy to help you put together a complete and suitable package. If necessary, including special tools.

A recent development in manufacturing good cylinder liners: the carbon ring at the top of the liner. Among other things, this prevents carbon deposits at the top end of the piston, thanks to the slightly smaller diameter of the carbon ring or ‘oil scraper ring’. This allows excess carbon deposits to be scraped off as they pass through the piston. This invention prevents premature wear on the cylinder wall. The wear you encounter especially in engines that make short trips, or idle a lot. Other causes: improper or outdated engine oil or poor engine maintenance in general.

Examples of piston or cylinder liner defects with the solution.

What are the symptoms of damaged or malfunctioning cylinder liners? Top brand Kolbenschmidt listed the main defects on pages 62-73 in this file on piston damage.

Click here for the file on piston damage

Installing cylinder liners

If a cylinder liner is damaged or defective, the only solution is to replace it. Below is a step-by-step plan for installing cylinder liners.

1. First, carefully inspect the engine block. If you discover damage or corrosion, then rework may be necessary. Also check that the block is not warped. The fit surface of the liner flange should be flat and clean. Also check for O-ring grooves in the engine block.
2. You must install the O-rings in the order indicated on the package. Never use sealant! Especially for this seal there is mounting paste for the O-rings. Spread evenly over the contact surfaces before assembly.
3. You insert the new cylinder liner into the engine block with a smooth motion. Important: any markings on the engine block and cylinder liner must line up neatly. Large diameter liners are also sometimes pressed into the block with an attachment.
   
   Next, measure the overhang of the liner relative to the block. You do this at four different points, every 90 degrees. Compare the results of the dial with the prescribed values. Never do this: compensate with tombak rings if the over-travel is insufficient. Rather use oversized cylinder liners with a higher liner flange. 
4. Final inspection is to check the inside diameter with a spear gauge at various points of the cylinder liner.

Cylinder liners in the assortment of Wilmink Engine Parts

Not many can manufacture such an important engine part with the highest precision and with the best materials. Wilmink Engine Parts has had very good experiences with three true specialists: Goetze, Kolbenschmidt and MAHLE.

Goetze is a big, leading name in high-performance engines. Manufacturer of products such as 1,600 sets of piston rings and 370 different types of cylinder liners for over 6,000 engine variants. Renowned for consistent top quality; recognizable by the yellow Goetze box.

Click here for the Goetze assortment

Kolbenschmidt, a trusted brand, which stands for 100 years of experience in the production of pistons and cylinder liners, among other things. Both for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The originally German company conducts research in development centers in Europe, Latin America, North America and Asia. Count on high quality in every product group. Recognizable by the KS logo.

Click here for the Kolbenschmidt assortment

MAHLE. The German brothers Ernst and Hermann Mahle were once true inventors. At a time when pistons were made only of heavy material, they discovered alloy and alloy pistons. Today, the company is one of the top 20 automotive parts manufacturers. Always good for long life and great performance. Wilmink Engine Parts stocks a wide range of MAHLE parts, including MAHLE cylinder liners. Plus O-ring kits for proper installation.

Click here for the MAHLE assortment

Our product specials will be happy to tell you what the best cylinder liner is for your application at sales@wilminkgroup.com. Also take a look at the complete range of cylinder liners in our webshop via the button below

Click here for our range of cylinder liners