What caused this (pics) gouges in top of head

[parluskq]

When I took my head off this evening i noticed there were big gouges taken out of the top of the head above the piston, The piston looked fine, so did the valves. The cylinder wall looked good too but it looks like it had been honed. It almost looks like part of a spark plug or a piston ring has broken off at one point and just wreaked havoc on the head... I would't imagine it would hurt the function of the engine, or will it? The engine is a 16hp B&S Cast iron 1979 model...

 

[George2615]

Welcome to TBN.............
It does look like a piece of loose metal was in the cylinder beating up the head. Is there a reason you pulled the head off. Was it making noise, knocking. If not put it back together and do a compression test. That will tell if a valve or rings are bad. If compression is good I doubt the gouges will affect running operation.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Check for loose or missing screws on the throttle or choke in the carburetor.

 

[parluskq]

I just traded for a non running Terramite... I got the engine running, no bad noises, knocking etc. This is a winter project so I figured I would lap the valves, check the piston and cylinder walls etc when I noticed the gouges. I would imagine that this engine has had to been rebuilt, there is no scars in the top of the piston or on the walls and the top of valves other than carbon deposits look good. Once i lap the valves, I will do a compression check.

 

[parluskq]

The carb is new... The guy gave me the old one, i will check it. I am thinking this had to have happened way in the past for the valves to no be torn up or gouged.

 

[pmsmechanic]

The carb is new... The guy gave me the old one, i will check it. I am thinking this had to have happened way in the past for the valves to no be torn up or gouged.

Also the top of the piston has no marks.

I would try to smooth the rough edges on the head if there are any before I put it back together.

 

[BethelHntr]

Maybe a piston has been replaced, Definitely looks like something made it into that chamber at some point.

 

[Terrasteve]

Looks like it has been repaired, at least a new piston put in. The top of the piston would look like the top of the head other wise. Do as others have said and put it back together and do a comp check.