I have a 1990 pickup 22r, truck was parked idling and I heard a clunk and knew automatically what it was…..Timing chain broke but when I pulled the valve cover the chain was still on the Camshaft gear and visually it looked as if the chain was still on til I picked up on it and realized it had broken further down, Tensioner was fully extended and both metal guides still intact ? My question is I have a chain ? Can I try just putting the chain back on without disassembling everything ? I have already made a tool to keep tensioner depressed til I get the chain on then release it ?’or do I need to pull timing cover, water pump , oil pump and head and replace everything ? Appreciate Any and All Advice….Thanks

 

The chain is continuous, or at least it is when it's not broken. There isn't a master link like on a motorcycle or BMX bike. There is no way to replace it without removing the timing cover.

Some people try to take the shortcut of removing the timing cover but not the head. I never recommend this, and for you it's probably more important. If the chain snapped, you have to inspect the valves to see if any of them contacted the piston and got bent.

 

yep. the 22r/22re is an interference engine. if you snapped the chain, you have to look. anecdotally, a lot of chains break at a point in the timing sequence where the valves do not come in contact with the piston, but some do. i got lucky, and when i snapped my newly installed chain (my fault for not torquing the guide bolts), no valve/piston contact happened. but i pulled the head to replace the chain, and put on a brand new head gasket, even though i'd just put one on a week earlier.

 

If you remove the head you might as well install new valve stem seals at that time.

 

Don’t remove the head. Put the chain on check timing and do a comp test. Then, if you detect bent valves and you have to, remove the head.

 

either way would work; i guess by running the test you'd get a baseline. but, even without doing the compression test, if the head is pulled, it will be obvious if one of the valves made contact with one of the pistons. it'll be an intake valve; check each piston for a tell-tale sign of damage (there will be only one if there is one).

 

On the one hand, if your timing chain snapped, you may be due for a valve job anyway. But you’re in for a lot of work and possibly grief to pull the head(intake, exhaust, cost of gaskets) just to inspect the valves. A scope down the spark plug holes might show you what you need to know. Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya?

 

right. but i'm on the side that says "when replacing the timing chain (and thus removing the chain cover), replace the head gasket rather than trying to stuff the cover back under the old one" camp. there is no right answer, really.

the entire job can be completed in about 2.5 hours or a bit less. i have reused the intake gaskets multiple times, and the exhaust gaskets a few times. but i've also torn into the upper half of one of my 22re engines multiple times (like 15 or more) when chasing a fuel delivery problem that was killing my fuel pumps, so i can get those intake components off pretty quickly. same with the exhaust.

 

I’d think the chain snapped because of stretch, so A new chain is in order. Pull the head, inspect for valve impact, and go from there.

 

Thanks for all the Advice Gentleman it is Greatly Appreciated. I Respect and Value each and Everyone of y’all’s Opinions and Advice on how to fix my problem. I only wish I had the Experience and hands on to Complete this project in 2.5 hours….The last time I had to replace the timing chain I pulled the head and everything else basically leaving me with the block and pistons and it took 2.5 weeks….Lol….since that time I have read numerous accounts on different ways to attempt it again and of course I want to do it Right but am in a bind for time being my backup third vehicles transmission went out …..since Replacing the chain after I first got the truck evidently I got a Bad chain tensioner or not enough oil pressure was being supplied to it and it began to make the rattle of death sound and being illiterate to it all I assumed was the cheap Plastic guides starting to wear away so I bought another timing kit with metal backed guides to replace the plastic ones but before I got the chance come to find out the noise I was hearing was the chain rubbing against the timing cover and ended up with me on the side of the road with my water and oil mixed together, needless to say I had no choice but Repeat the tear it down to the block Again.!!!!! Not to Simply cut corners or try and put a bandaid on it, and being I have a Chain with very low miles on it I’m gonna pick curtain number three and take the advice to put the chain on without pulling the head, get it back in time and see if I bent a valve ? If I have Good Compression then I will Drive it til the inevitable happens when using “wearable parts that are Designed to only Last for a certain period of time ? If and when it happens again….And it Will….. I think I will go with the Upgrade and switch over to the Double Chain set up….. the 22r is still one of the Finest engines ever made as far as Longevity but the 20r and it’s Double row chain was basically indestructible and ran forever …..Can’t make any money if you can’t Sell parts ? So in my opinion by swapping from the dual row chain down to one they could still offer a Good engine …. But also Guarantee revenue selling replacement parts Designed to Wear out after a certain amount of time…..Will Post the Outcome of my Results…..Thanks for all your Advice and Knowledge to Everyone that gave it…Everyone’s Input was Appreciated and you All gave Good Advice….Thanks

 

What brand of timing chain kit did you use and where did you get it? OSK (made in Japan) is the preferred brand because they are well made kits, even with the plastic guides. A single row timing chain should still last quite a while.

 

If it broke while idling you might luck out. But still, it’s coming apart. I used OSK and was impressed with the quality.

 

Thanks for the Advice….. Where would I purchase an OSK chain at ?

 

Here's one on Ebay, Might also check Rockauto

For 1985-1995 Toyota 4Runner Timing Gear Kit 95277YY 1988 1993 1986 1987 1989 | eBay

 

Thanks Sir I will Check it out.

 

If you're not pulling the head, you can still inspect for bent valves. Rotate each cylinder to TDC compression. Both the rockers should have a very small amount of play, around 0.008" to 0.012". If a rocker has a significantly higher amount of play then that valve is possibly bent and not closing all the way, causing the excessive valve lash.

Keep in mind this is not a 100% diagnosis, the cam could be seriously worn and causing the same result.

 

Please pull the head. It really isn’t that bad. If a friend helps, you can lift head off with both manifolds left bolted in. As Wally said, look for slight impact mark on top of piston.
Ishino Stone has a very decent gasket head set. I don’t get much from PartsGeek because their freight charges tend to be high, but they were pretty fair on that. Might check on the OSK chain kit there, too.