1700 TDL

About a year ago the engine in my Astra van was replaced, I am now
pulling the old engine apart. Yesterday I took the head off and was
amazed at the sight of the piston tops. Three of them looked as I would
expect, a thin layer of carbon, number two however was almost “as new”
just a little carbon under the valve heads, the engraved markings and
machining still visible. This engine had done 83k and drove normally and
started very well. Passed the MOT smoke tests etc. Yet, it looks as if
this cylinder had done hardly any work. Anybody got any thoughts on
this. The engine is the Vauxhall 1700DTL turbo Diesel.
Snap at
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9942/cylinders001small4ok.jpg
cheersandgone

 

If the engine was so good why was it replaced? Was it using coolant cos it
could be that the coolant kept the carbon at bay.

 

Result of a contretemps with a deer. After hitting said beastie I drove
on a couple of hundred yard to a lay-by. Unfortunately the oil cooler
was damaged and dumped (some) oil. When the front end was rebuilt and
the engine started........oh dear, bit of clatter! The engine did not
consume any coolant out of the ordinary