Cub Cadet T65 Series User Manual
Page 106

T65 Series Vertical Shaft Engines
102
5.
When particles enter the combustion chamber, the 
up and down motion of the piston grinds the parti-
cles against the side of the cylinder walls and dam-
ages the cylinder wall, piston and piston rings. 
6.
This can be identified by the scoring along the verti-
cal axis of the piston and cylinder wall. See Figure 
11.2.
NOTE: Abrasives that enter the engine through the
intake system will cause the upper portion of 
the combustion chamber to wear more than 
the lower portion. Measurements of the cyl-
inder bore at the top and bottom will show 
this. 
Other sources of abrasives that get into the engine
include carbon build up on the top side of the piston, metal 
shavings from the wear of engine parts, or dirt entering 
through the oil fill port. Leaking gaskets and seals also 
have the potential of allowing debris to enter the engine.
A symptom of abrasive ingestion is smoky exhaust. As
the cylinder walls wear, pressure from the combustion 
chamber blows by the piston and pressurizes the engine 
sump. This overpowers the PCV valve and allows oil to 
accumulate in the combustion chamber. See Figure 11.3.
7.
It is normal for engine oil to suspend some abrasive 
material. The problem comes when the amount of 
abrasive materials overcomes the ability of the oil to 
keep parts from being damaged by contact with the 
abrasive material. See Figure 11.4.
Figure 11.2
scratches
Figure 11.3
Figure 11.4
