1 Monitoring the wear of the piston ring and replacing it at the right time

In Easykart engines the frequent replacement of the piston ring (also called "segment", editor's note) does not lead to any tangible improvement either in terms of performance or in terms of general engine reliability. This is because Easykart engines do not give exasperated levels of performance and because they are "standardised" at a regulatory level as well as made with completely uniform components, from one type to another. What is important to underline, however, is that the replacement of the piston ring is necessary each time a new piston is used (which, as underlined in "Expert Advice | Easykart: the 9 basic checks to be performed on engines, periodically or before to buy a used one”, it must be changed approximately every 4 hours of use - editor’s note). Furthermore, to obtain a better seal, the piston ring can be changed when lapping (a topic that we will deal with later, editor's note). A band that is too worn, in fact, risks breaking more easily and this eventuality can cause serious damage to the engine.

Unfortunately, the segment does not give warning of breakage and its purely visual analysis is rather complicated, since already after a little time of use its surface begins to take on a "worn" appearance due to contact with the piston and the cylinder liner, as well as deposits in the combustion chamber. This is why, using a feeler gauge, analyse how much the gap between its two edges has varied with respect to the original setting (for further information on this procedure, "Advice from the experts | carburetor, piston, starter motor... Measures and tricks of professionals for their management and maintenance" editor's note), can be a valid parameter on which to evaluate its condition.