RE: t maxx problems pls Help!!!
Put the piston into the sleeve and see how far up you can push it. It should stop about 1/8" from the top of the sleeve. If it's much closer, even or goes through then it's done for. Obviously, the farther into the sleev the more wear but optimum is 1/8" or more from the top. Also check for scratches on the sleeve walls/piston. And/or and knicks or breakages in the piston skirt or sleeve ports. The color if the piston top can also tell you a lot about how the engines been running.