Newbie here. My 1990 Toyota pickup started loosing a little anti-freeze on a daily basis. Could not find leak, no anti-freeze in oil, engine running fine. Added some stop leak. A few days later the anti-freeze was low again. Added some water to get to the parts store to purchase more anit-freeze. On the way home, wham! Lost most of the water. Found it in the oil. I've pulled the head. Cleaned it well and did not find any hints of a crack or "cross over" places on the head gasket. Timing cover gasket was shot? Timing chain tensioners shot or missing as well. Plan to fix all that. What else should I investigate?

 

When the I replaced the head gasket in my '95 a few month ago, there was no apparent damage/leaks or what have you on the gasket, but it was definitely leaking through the head gasket.
Could be a cracked block or head...

 

I cleaned the rocker arm assembly, cam, and cleaned the head as best I could. I did not see any evidence of a crack. I've inspected the top of the block and didn't see an issue. Where would be the most likely place for a crack to develop in the block? Any ideas?

 

OP, what engine do you have? If 22r/22re, did the timing chain wear through the cover and into the water pump cavity especially on the driver side causing the mixing?

What do the tops of the pistons look like? Is one or more piston tops shiny from coolant steam cleaning (a sign of HG failure)?
Also, find out from your local Toyota dealer where they take heads for rebuilding.....take your head there and get it pressure checked to ensure it is not cracked.

Lots of threads around here on this topic....the search button will reward you.

 

I'm assuming 22r/22re?


since you said the timing chain guide was shot, I'd put money on it being the timing cover

when the guide falls apart, the chain rides against and rubs through the side of the cover and right into the water pump housing, causing the antifreese to leak into the timing cover and down into the oil pan, thus entering the oil system.

it's a very common problem actually



here's the timing cover off my 22re after a tear down and rebuild at 300k miles. it shows where it had rubbed in the past before a timing chain job was done, and also where it was rubbing just before the rebuild since the guide was shot

just on the other side of those rub marks is the water pump housing












google search "engnbldr". he sells NEW covers. good quality stuff that's a direct fit

 

www.engnbldr.com

 

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. The engine is a 22R with carb. I will be sure to check the timing cover tomorrow. The timing chain has been "loose" for awhile and had gotten noisy lately. When I removed the timing chain cover, the gasket fell out in pieces. Both guides are shot. This has been the best engine I've ever owned. It has over 330K miles, original everything including the clutch, except the starter, alternator, and fuel pump. Again, thanks for all the responses and I will keep you posted.

 

How hard is doing a rebuild yourself ? I just bought a 85 4 runner in awesome shape , but with water in the oil , got it cheap , looking into a 22re rebuild but putting it in myself. I keep wondering if i can do it myself with the block that i have ... Thought?

 

If your talking about an engine rebuild, I don't think it would be that difficult if you have the right tools and a good machine shop to do that part. I don't have all the tools needed to do this, but I would still give it a shot.
If your talking about this water in oil mess that I have, it's not hard. Just a lot of hoses, nuts, and bolts. If you do either, I would suggest reading the many threads regarding this matter within this website and goto the "www.engnbldr.com" website for the parts. They are cheaper than anyone I know.
As a follow up to my ongoing work, I was not able to get back to the job yesterday. Plan to inspect the timing chain cover today. Will keep ya posted.

 

ya i was talking about the actual rebuild of the engine , not much experience in mechanics but i have replaced an engine before. Got more time than money so i was thinking of doing it all ,

 

Get a good repair manual, tools out of the shed, and get started! I know it's not that simple, but I would go for it.
Update on my "water in oil". For all you guys with threads saying it's the timing chain cover - your RIGHT! The timing chain had worn a hairline split right into the water pump cavity! I wished I had pulled the timing cover without pulling the head! Live and learn. Thanks everyone for your input. Glad I found this website!

 

While it can and has been done, pulling the head then the T-chain cover is the "proper" method I believe, TONS of pics and great advice in here, have fun.

Repo