Plastic Chunks in Oil Pan??
 

Hi Guys,

I decided to change out the pan on a 88 4runner I just picked to be my daily and on removing the pan I was shocked to find large plastic chunks sitting at the bottom. I've heard that these are potentially plastic timing cover chunks but don't see how its possible that the thing would be running after having these pass through. Should I check this out or is the fact is runs and drives fine enough to say that it's already been taken care of and the oil pan was just never cleaned?

I don't have a 22re, but I believe those are from the timing chain guide. This allows the timing chain to ride against the block, eventually cutting a hole into a coolant passage. Not good.

Someone with more experience with the 22re can probably provide you with a link to a complete description.

Pull the valve cover off

With a flashlight look down and see if the chain guides are still there.

If they are your good to go They were never cleaned out because the oil pan was not removed.

If they are gone or damaged time to do a timing chain.

The engine will run fine but the timing chain will rub through into the coolant passages oil and antifreeze is not a good mix.

Like the others have mentioned. It is quite common to see this on several 22 motors when tearing one down. They replace the chain and guides but never clean the pan out afterwards. Since you already got it cleaned out and back together, you will be good to go and wont have any more problems from it. It is usually large chunks and the Oil Pickup Tube has a screen that keeps the pieces out.

better to find the plastic chunks of the guide than pieces of timing chain like I did when I had the engine rebuild on my old 84

Thanks for the feedback guys, I had order a timing kit with a metal guide soon after I got the truck so I think ill change it regardless. As long as the plastic hasn't effected anything else.

Yup, just did that, timing chain guide parts in the oil pan! Make sure the timing chain is tight after install. use your main cam and valve cam keyways both at 12 o'clock as your guides while dist rotor is at plug #1. If it has a dimple on the valve cam it will be at 11:55.