Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Cylinder Water Ring (Pics)

[RIT]

I finally got my cherry busted from this bombing stuff. I blew my head gasket from having a little too much fun. I found a very small amount of oil in my coolant. Anyhow, I popped off the head and found some very small water spots in all of my cylinders. They were so small they did not show up in the pictures that I took. The number 4 cylinder has a slight water ring. (see pics if I can figure out how to post them) I cannot seem to catch a fingernail on the water ring. It does not look like to big of a deal but I would like some input on how serious it is or if I can just hit it lightly with a little 400 grit wet sandpaper and bolt it shut for another 210K miles?

 

[EDankievitch]

If you can't catch your finger nail on it I'd say to drop the piston to the bottom of the bore and cover it with a rag and polish the mark out. Make sure you get everything abrasive out of the cylinder as you don't want score things up with any grit. I've seen this alot on Marine engines that injest water can be saved if your careful and keep it clean.

 

[JohnBoy5]

how does that ring get there?

 

[RIT]

I believe that this ring is the result of infiltration of water into the cylinder. I inspected the gasket and was not able to find any clear evidence of a blown gasket. I did find a very small amount of oil in the radiator and the evidence of water in the cylinders. I can just assume that there was enough boost pressure (37-40+) PSI on a stock gasket that it allowed a little excess fluid movement under the gasket.



What cleaning media would be best for "polishing" the cylinder wall and minimizing any excess abrasives? I have some 400 grit sandpaper and some steel wool available.

 

[JohnBoy5]

i have been running 40 to 44 lbs of boost on the stock gasket and bolts no problems yet. i do have studs that i need to put in. i plan to do that christmas break.