ztrahp@bellsouth.net

i'm having to fill my coolant reservoir with 1/2 gal every week or so. i changed my oil and in the cavity of the oil cap i found some tannish honey colored gooey looking substance i've never seen before.

truck runs great though. i've replaced the original block with one from orient engines outa falmouth, ky about 100K miles ago. did it myself. took about 3 months total.

it's a 3vze 3.0L, 1992 sr5 xtra cab p'up w/515K total miles.

thoughts? anything i can try to ID the problem? i've been thru this head gasket thing before but toyota fixed it for free on a recall about 15 yrs ago.

where's my coolant going if i can't see it in the driveway?

thanx

Luvmeye22re

If you have the nasty brownish/goo-ish honey on the inside of your oil cap, my guess and I hate to say it is a head gasket. I'd drain the oil and see what comes out....

http://www.cherokeeforum.com/attachm...e-p2230347.jpg

It will look a lot like a milkshake inside the oil cap, slimey. I hope not my friend, I've been there and it never comes at a good time.

tonymx97

About loosing coolant, I have found that it is pretty common that the timing chain guide (stock plastic guides) wear all the way through and then the timing chain wears a hole in the timing chain cover. The result is the coolant leaking into the oil, and that will destroy the whole Motor.

Luvmeye22re

That's true tony but he has a 3.0 so I don't think the same issue will arise.

Marc

Pressure test the cooling system with the spark plugs out.
See where the air comes out.