The paper discusses research assumptions and describes a test stand for the investigations of the sealing properties of the piston rings. The research stand includes an engine brake together with a control system, a research engine and a lubrication and engine thermal state stabilization systems. The engine was fitted with a research piston containing a measuring device enabling the recording of fast varying quantities such as the pressures in the space between the rings, axial displacements of the oil sealing rings in the piston grooves and the temperatures of the gas blown through the seal.