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88 4runner experiencing odd head issue

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Old Apr 27, 2017 | 09:44 PM
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Question 88 4runner experiencing odd head issue

Hey guys. I've posted before but seem to have lost my login, but either way.

I have an 88 4runner 22RE that i've loved for 10 years now. Got it young, learned everything I know on it. My problem is this. I'm going to try and bullet point this as cleanly as possible because it's a complicated chain of events.


(Around 9 months ago)
- On the freeway, I lost 90% power and had massive steam plumes coming out my exhaust.
- I immediately checked cylinder pressure and found 1 and 2 to be very very low. Telling me a head gasket was due.
- I had the head gasket replaced by a local Yota guy. I was not able to do this myself due to moving into an apartment.
- Truck problem fixed, Went about driving it daily.

( I have always noticed my truck drives better and has more power when it is cold. )
- About 2 months ago, I jumped in my truck to drive about 5 blocks to a buddy's house to help him with his Yamaha side-by-side.
- Truck drove fine, but when I parked, Oil and Water were pouring out of my front end. a huge mess.
- Drove Truck home without it leaking any further. Assumed it was just empty.
- Truck was parked for around a month.

(This is where my confusion begins)
- About a month ago, I finally got everything planned to drive the truck to a friend's house about 12 minutes away to begin tearing down the truck to find the issues.
- Topped off all fluids in my truck and decided not to baby the truck but to drive it as I normally would. winding high RPM roads and a 55mph freeway to get to friend's place.
- Truck drove like a Top. Not a single drop, holding nothing back on the drive.
- Parked in friend's lot has never spilt a drop since.

(skip to tear down)
- Got Valve cover off, Caked in chocolate milk etc etc.

Okay, sorry for the silly list. I know I have a problem, but my "trouble" is where should I begin? I would not normally even ask for help because a head is a head and a gasket is a gasket, but the way this truck has reacted to this issue just baffles me. Am I overthinking this? Should I just: Tear down, resurface head, and reinstall? or should I do more before I take it all apart? I stopped right before taking the EFI off the head to ask you guys, I just don't feel comfortable with the way this truck has reacted to a "blown headgasket" on any regular day. Especially after it has been replaced less than a year ago. I can only assume I got screwed on the quality of work, But I don't know anymore! Your help is IMMENSELY appreciated.

~Shaun
Tippmann27@gmail.com

Last edited by SCShaun; Apr 27, 2017 at 09:57 PM.
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Old Apr 27, 2017 | 11:38 PM
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From: I live in New Tripoli Pa out in the woods
Red face

Just how much Oil and coolant leaked out ??

Just where was it leaking from??

You did check before restarting the engine ??

Just how hot did the engine get that could have caused the head gasket failure

It comes down to a cracked head or failed gasket
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Old Apr 27, 2017 | 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by wyoming9
Just how much Oil and coolant leaked out ??

Just where was it leaking from??

You did check before restarting the engine ??

Just how hot did the engine get that could have caused the head gasket failure

It comes down to a cracked head or failed gasket
If I took a guess, over a galon of water and easily two quarts of oil together

I couldn't make out exactly where from driving it, it was splashed over everything at the time.

Engine's never been ran hot since headgasket was replaced.

I appreciate the reply.
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Old Apr 29, 2017 | 10:01 PM
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Looking for any other opinions or confirmations of info I provided. I really appreciate taking a look at my problem! Thank you!
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Old Apr 30, 2017 | 02:07 AM
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From: I live in New Tripoli Pa out in the woods
Red face

At any time has your timing chain been done??

Was it done with the head gasket .

Another place oil and coolant can mix if the chain wore the cover into the water jacket

Automatic or manual Transmission??

Other then the top of the head was the coolant and oil mixed in the Radiator. As it would drain into the oil pan .

Coolant and bearing babbit don`t play well at all if coolant was pumped through the oil pump you might be looking at some decisions

Last edited by wyoming9; Apr 30, 2017 at 02:11 AM.
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Old Apr 30, 2017 | 06:13 AM
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Originally Posted by wyoming9
At any time has your timing chain been done??

Was it done with the head gasket .

Another place oil and coolant can mix if the chain wore the cover into the water jacket

Automatic or manual Transmission??

Other then the top of the head was the coolant and oil mixed in the Radiator. As it would drain into the oil pan .

Coolant and bearing babbit don`t play well at all if coolant was pumped through the oil pump you might be looking at some decisions
I do not know of any time the timing chain has been done. That's a very good point.

Manual trans

There is zero oil in my radiator.
------
I've heard of the timing chain issue and was my very first 'thought' or maybe rather hope. But I was suggested otherwise over the course of this problem.
​​
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Old May 3, 2017 | 02:31 PM
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Well. Thank you to the two of you who responded. Answered your questions but I guess i'll figure it out. =)
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Old May 3, 2017 | 06:55 PM
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Given what has been said I would guess the timing chain ate through the cover. Time to R & R the chain and weld up the hole where the chain wore it through.
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Old May 6, 2017 | 02:30 PM
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Thank you guys. I'm tearing farther in now.
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Old May 8, 2017 | 10:56 AM
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Just an update for you guys.

Got the head gasket off. The head-bolts had been torqued down to over 100ft pounds and the gasket was so far beyond smashed.

That's what I get for not doing it myself!
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