Really weird looking inlet valves

[barbagris]

Hey guys. I have a question for the grand masters of 2.3L engines.

A mate here dropped his RIII and is using the downtime to look at stuff.

5 of the inlet valves look like this
But one looks like this

Thoughts? - one clean valve is way suspicious.

My first reaction is HEAD OFF no matter what.

I've not seen it myself. But I have suggest he looks at the pistons with a bore scope anyway.

[EasTexOutlaw]

[EasTexOutlaw]

Valve-related failures are often due to factors such as detonation, poor quality or defective parts, over-revving the engine, or not setting or maintaining proper valve lash. These can contribute to or even cause valve failures, but so can sloppy machining tolerances. The concentricity of the valve seat concerning the valve guide and valve is critical for proper alignment and a tight valve seal

[EasTexOutlaw]

Maybe they never had the valves checked and the one was way out of tolerance??

[barbagris]

Personally - I think the valve guide seals are shot - The "clean one" looks way too clean - and it looks oily.

[EasTexOutlaw]

Oil would seep down the valve stem into the cylinder. Then it would smoke a little when started up.