My cousin has a '89 22r 2wd pickup that has about 250k miles, and over the last year or so, has slowly started running worse and worse. It has a pretty rough idle, and doesn't get too much better after that.

We pulled it in the garage, and first I checked the timing, and then, we adjusted the valves, to no remarkable improvement in the idle. While the valve cover was off, I noticed that his timing chain seemed to have quite a bit of slack in it. I'm guessing that his valve timing is off, because of a high mileage chain, or shot guides?

If this is the case, we plan on doing a timing chain set and while digging into the motor that far, would it be a good idea to replace the oil pump, water pump, or any other components? He was looking at purchasing a timing chain set kit with all theses components, but this is maybe a $1500 truck, so he doesn't want to dump a ton into it...

Any suggestions?

 

It could very well be the timing chain at such high milage, but it could be a multitude of other problems. check and make sure both timing chain guides are even there, ive lost 2 22re's to the guides breaking off. as far as just replacing the chain and guides, make sure you still have good compression and make sure you dont have any knocking sounds from your bottom end, and if you do end up doing it, make sure you get the metal guides, not the plastic ones. and as far as the money thing, its all what your willing to put into it.

 

at 250k on the engine, I would do a compression and leakdown check on it before tearing into it to do the timing chain, it might not help if the rings/valves/valve guides etc are wore. Might just be time for an entire engine rebuild.

 

I'll check compression and run a leak down test, that sounds like a good place to start. I've seen plenty about the metal timing chain guides, but if the motor already has 250k on it, and the plastic ones will last, say, 150k miles, then what's the point in upgrading them? I don't think the rest of the motor is going to outlast plastic guides?