Crakced Block or Head gasket

[sricci]

I have a 1990 pickup, 4x4, 22r, I found water in the oil and checked the cylinder pressure, it was fine, so it a cracked block or could it still be a bad head gasket. Or is it somethign else? It wasn't that cold the day it started, so I dont see how it could be the block.
Thanks for the Help Steve

[eduardo]

hey sricci, i'd say it's about a 95% chance it's the head gasket and about a 0.002% chance of being a cracked block especially on a 22r. it might be a cracked block if it were like a chevy small block out of a firebird or something! i think if cold weather would happen to have been a factor you'd have come up with a leak somewhere else less insulated than the block like at the radiator. i had the same problem on a rebuilt 22r and it turned out it was where the machine shop had removed the timing chain cover while the head was attached and then when they went to put the timing chain cover back on they apparently forgot about the little bit of overhanging head gasket that's supposed to sit on top of the chain cover and just crammed it on while crushing the gasket in the process! well good luck!! do you also have oil in your coolant or just coolant in the oil?

[pind]

Chances are it is the timing cover. The chain wears, and eventually takes out the guide, allowing the chain to rub directly on the cover, behind the water pump.

Over time, this eats through the aluminum, and creates a hole into the cooling jacket behind the water pump.

I have a 1990 toyota, 22r, did this at about 175,000 km.

You can remove the valve cover, fill the radiator to the top with coolant, put the cap on, and then while you look to the left, or driver's side of the timing chain opening, squeeze the top rad hose to pressure the system up. If it is indeed the timing chain cover, you will see coolant begin to seep or flow out about halfway down the timing cover, on the inside.

Take the cover off, have it welded, and put it all back together with a new chain, gears, and guides.

good luck

[sassee]

I agree with pind. My 22RE had a timing cover worn thru by stretched chain. Easiest way is to check compression. If it's high and all cylinders are fairly consistent, I'm willing to bet timing cover. Just but a new one! Water flows THRU it to water pump, too much of a hassle to weld and then make sure water passage is good, unless your a very good MIG/TIG welder. Mine wasn't but 75 bucks brand new!

[Electraglide71]

Hey guys. I asked on one other post, but wanted to check with y'all as well, as you've run into this problem. I have an '84 pickup with a 22R. Was getting coolant in oil and vice versa. Replaced the head gasket, which looked great, but...already had it apart. Now, last summer, I replaced an oil pump seal. After I took off the oil pan, I found pieces of light blue or light green plastic laying in the pan. I knew this had to be something at one time, but never could figure it out. The books don't show anything about the guide. Just the tensioner and the dampers. This is something I'd like to rule out before I move on. But, the chain wearing through my time chain cover makes perfect sense at this point. Just wanted to get a few more opinions on this, as you guys have run into this problem. If you could, please repost and shed a little light on the subject if you could. Thanks, y'all.

Electraglide

[sassee]

The plastic you found is almost certainly the timing chain tensioner. Once it goes, a lose chain has nowhere else to go but the side of the cover!

If you engine was otherwise running good, you need to replace the cover.

[Electraglide71]

Hey Sassee, thanks for your quick response. I received a response from another member, and all of this is making a lot more sense now. One thing I asked him that I'll ask you...does the timing cover need to be replaced, or is the wear small enough that it could be repaired with a good steel epoxy? Also, can the timing cover and timing chain replacement be done without having to remove the head again? I just hate to buy another gasket kit, after already replacing the head gasket, along with the other gaskets for that procedure. Plus, I had one hell of a time removing and reinstalling the intake manifold. Luckily, I've done a lot of this before, so I can do the whole job myself. But, any extra disassembly I can avoid would be great. Thanks again.

[sassee]

YES! The cover can be removed without removing the head. The best I can remember (I'm getting old and senile) you'll have to remove the timing sprocket from the cam shaft and take the chain off and thru the top of the cover. you do not have to touch the intake. just make sure you seal the corners and ends well when reassembling.

The cover could conceivably be fixed with epoxy or even a good MIG or TIG welder could repair it. Personally, it aint worth the chance of failure, a new one should be around $75 bucks. just replace it if you can.

[Electraglide71]

Hey, I appreciate it. My two manuals both require removal of head, which didn't make a lot of sense. Valve cover...yeah..to get to the sprocket and remove chain. Now, since I'm doing this, I'll probably replace the chain, a steel guide, along with the tensioner and dampers. And yeah, it seems worth it to go with a new cover. I've had some luck in the past with the steel epoxies in minor applications. But, since I don't want to do this job twice, it's worth the money to do it right. Plus, what I'm saving if I had to have a shop do the repairs. I see the covers cheaper online, but I'm wondering after shipping, if it wouldn't work out the same buying from a parts store here in town. Don't know. Hey, I appreciate all the help. Have a good friday. Thanks again

[sassee]

Good luck! Let us know how it comes out!

[fourwd1]

Here is an excellant rticle on replacing the TC w/o pulling head (yes it can be done, I've done 2).

A good source for parts is engnbldr.com. Great prices, parts, and service.

Your leak could be the TC cover, but also could be the HG, or even a cracked head.
I've gotten 4 trucks with cracked 22R heads for free for use as parts vehicles.