Piston Rings Removal

Flip the engine switch into the OFF position.

Grab the plastic housing at the end of the spark plug wire.

Pull firmly to disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

Pull the ring on the safety relief valve away from the compressor tank to drain the air from the compressor.

Use a 7/8 inch wrench to loosen the nut securing the pump discharge line to the elbow on the cylinder head.

Remove the pump discharge line from the elbow.

Use a 10 mm socket to remove the bolt securing the belt guard.

Tilt the belt guard away from the device and lift it out to remove it.

Use a 7/16 inch socket to remove the nuts and accompanying bolts securing the belt guard bracket to the rear belt guard.

Use a 1/2 inch socket to remove the two bolts securing the belt guard bracket to the cylinder head.

Lift the belt guard bracket straight up to remove it.

Remove the four spacers from the top of the cylinder head.

Use a 1/2 inch socket to remove the six bolts and washers securing the cylinder to the crankcase.

Lift the cylinder from the air compressor and set it aside.

Rotate the top compression ring until its gap is facing you.

Push the left side of the compression ring completely into the compression ring groove.

Grasp the right edge of the top compression ring and lift the end up and over the top edge of the piston.

Lift the piston ring as you rotate the entire ring counterclockwise (looking at the piston from above) to guide the ring out of its groove.

With the top compression ring out of its groove, swing it out and off of the piston.

Remove the compression ring and set it aside.

Repeat the last three steps to remove the wiper ring (the second ring from the top).

Rotate the top oil ring rail so that its gap is facing you.

Use a pair of needle nose pliers to lift up the left end of the top oil ring rail enough to grip it with your fingers.

Use your fingers to lift the top oil ring rail clockwise around the piston.

Remove the top oil ring rail and set it aside.

Rotate the oil ring expander so that its gap is facing you.

Use a pair of needle nose pliers to lift up the left end of the top oil ring expander enough to grip it with your fingers.

Use your fingers to lift the oil ring expander out of its groove, working your way clockwise around the piston.

Remove the oil ring expander and set it aside.

Rotate the bottom oil ring rail so that its gap is facing you.

Use a pair of needle nose pliers to lift up the left end of the bottom oil ring rail enough to grip it with your fingers.

Use your fingers to lift up the bottom oil ring rail, working your way clockwise around the piston.

Remove the bottom oil ring rail and set it aside.

Repeat the last seven steps to remove the piston rings from the second piston.