Recently the 22re in my 89 toyota pickup got alot of coolant in the oil and overheated. So I figured the head gasket went bad and pulled the head and when I did I noticed a groove in the timing chain cover where it looks like the chain has been rubbing. I know this can happen on worn chains but I replaced the head gasket 40k miles ago and when I did I also replaced the timing chain and guides with metal backed ones from engnbldr.com. I guess I'll have to pull the timing cover and see whats going on. I don't remember the groove being there last time I had it off but it has been awhile.

Did you replace the tensioner when you did the timing chain? Is your oil pressure good?

Depending how bad it wore thru.. there is a coolant passage way right there and even thoe you cant see it with your eyes it could be a pinhole leak....
mine was way worse btw, haa.

I replaced the tensioner with the chain. The oil pressure has always been good enough that it didn't trigger the idiot light. It may be a real small leak cause I believe the coolant had slowly been leaking into the crankcase for atleast 2 weeks before it got so bad that I caught it. There was also water in the throttle body and intake when i took everything apart.

any foam under the oil cap?
even the smallest leak can get way bigger under pressure right?

Well, the only reason I asked was to try and explain why you might be getting wear marks on the timing cover with a timing chain and guide still intact. However, I'd have to say the grooves were there before and you didn't notice them. As was said, there is a coolant bypass right behind those grooves. And, probably.....most likely...........there is a hole. Too bad. If you have gotten coolant your crankcase, the bearings are probably damaged.

god damn, i hope its not that case for me.
ive still been finding a bit of foam under my cap... my oil is completely fine! and my coolant level hasnt dropped. So, thook, could it be possible for there still to be residual stuff left since mine got destroyed and leaked a bit?

With foam? Mmmm......there's another reason for foam that I'm aware of. Having the oil level too high and the crankshaft spinning in it and thereby foaming it.

On the other hand, how many oil changes have you done after the coolant/oil breach?

Bearings can get be damaged when coolant gets in the oil.....for what should be obvious reasons. But, they can go a while longer in that condition. Just really depends on how much damage was done = how long the motor ran with coolant in the oil.

When coolant gets in the oil, I know many people just make the repair, flush the motor, refill, and be done with it. But, I know also if the bearings and/or crankshaft weren't inspected and repaired if necessary, premature failure often times occurs. Coolant/water just doesn't lubricate/provide cushion. And, there's really not much tolerance between the bearings and crankshaft.

In lieu of tearing the motor down, you can try using some STP oil treatment or use a good synthetic and hope everything goes well for a long time to come. It just might. If nothing has turned up in the next year...like a knock, you're probably fine.

just one, i drained the oil when doing my tchain, and put new one..
god i hate it when stuff like this happens...
ah oh well.

Don't we all? Sooner or later, though, you reach a point when you just go oh well and live with it. If it's running, it's running. You're still better off than those whose vehicles aren't....hehe.

BTW, how'd you flush the block out once you made the repair and before you refilled with fresh oil? And, how long has the fresh oil been in?

And, btw, yes there still could be residuals. But, it depends.......s'why I ask how you flushed the block.

i didnt really, drained old oil
did timing chain and everything, cleaned everything up at best as i could
new oil
and yea, im debating doing two more oil changes... one with dino oil for a couple days then back to synthetic..

I would. Buys some cheap dino and flush. You can use some Seafoam to help flush the coolant, too.

oh really?
hmmmm..... i guess ill try that soon...

Yes. ASAP.

Good luck, chap.

damit
sucks i have to waste such new oil haha

Well, can you get a pic of some drained oil for us? Don't drain it all........just a little. That would help.

its not milky at all, ive checked everything..
every morning i check for anything werid on my dip stick, i check oil before and after driving to see if any milkness

Let us know about that foam on the oil cap and how long it takes to clear up. There's someone else on this board who just did a timing chain, and they are getting some residual "stuff" on the oil cap... but no milky oil... I thought it was because they are in CANADA and its probably just ICE

... Seafoam....
or
... Epsom Salts.....

hahahaha i wish it was ice..

yeah my oil looks fine, i cleaned off the cap tonight(first time in a week or so)
i think...
il run a can of seafoam thru this oil right now, drain it.. new stuff
good?