Howdy - Long time lurker, first time poster.

I have had a "thing" for the Toyota pickup and the 22r engines for quite a while. I finally came across one in decent shape in my area.

It's an 88, has the 22re, 4wd automatic. It hasn't been lifted and the engine is all original. Previous owner was good about oil/filter changes and didn't beat on it.

My question is about the timing chain and how to check it. This truck has 187,000 and never had the chain replaced. It runs great and sounds like a tractor. I have searched and read most of the chain replacement info on the forum and frankly it has scared me off driving it till I can tear it down in the spring. After reading about all the horror stories of this wearing though and leaking into the coolant side I'm not sure if I should be driving it.

I plan on pulling the valve cover and taking a look in there but I'm not sure what to look for other than wear marks on the plastic guide - any suggestions for a nervous noob

 

I should also ask, what else should be replaced while doing the chain swap? I plan on doing it without removing the head "(hopefully)

 

Hiya and welcome to YOTATECH.

The timing chain CAN be replaced without removing the head.

when you remove the rocker cover you should be able to see a driver's side guide / rail looking back at you....if not, then you have found yourself a problem if not THE problem.

all my parts (for the most part) I got from Ted @ engnbldr.com . I think it's classified as either a front end kit or a top end kit.....whatever the case , when I did mine, I removed the head and replaced the gasket / lapped the valves, removed the pan, cleaned all the junk out, cleaned the pickup screen, replaced the timing cover / oil pump / water pump, new chain with steel guides.

as a noob, I was able to do this all by myself ...with the exception being that I researched alot and asked questions and got answers from the good peoples here at YOTATECH and had my FSM and Haynes and Chiltons and read them religiously.

If it were me, which it was a year ago, I would go ahead and take it right down to the block and rebuild it from there....just like I did. If you CAN pull the motor, I would pull the motor as it is a PITA to work on this thing with it still in the truck...as any motor probably is.

see "THREAD B" in my sig to take you to my condensed thread about how I did it.

good luck. SEARCH alot....and ask questions alot. make a "BUILD-UP" thread and alot of us who have been in your shoes can chime in.

 

Hey welcome!

So, I read your post, didn't see 92 Toy's response, and immediately went searching for his thread, since it's awesome and has tons of photos (and like he said, he had apprehensions of doing it with his lack of experience). And he posted anyway!

Here is the thread:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...cement-212688/

Here is the groove that is a telltale sign of a lost chain guide (chain laps against timing cover, eating 2 grooves into it until it breaks through and coolant starts mixing in with oil and....you get the idea):


And here's the timing cover off, showing the damage done...whew!



I did this a year ago, but just the chain and oil pan - not the head....it's not that hard if you research the hell out of it, label everything, take your time, and triple check every step. There are 2 other really good DIYs online - just google "22RE timing chain DIY".

I also got my kit from ENGNBLDR - seatch "ENGNBLDR FEK" and you're set.

Also, Yotatech guys are pretty good about chiming in on questions, even what you consider dumb...we were all there once

Good luck and welcome!

 

blacksmith I kind of have the same situation as you... the truck sounds like a tractor. I thought it was the chain so I did the timing chain replacement along with the water pump, oil pump, timing chain cover and what ever other goodies engine builder (that's the company name) puts in his kit. I also did this without removing the head. Actual I had never thought of removing the head after reading 4crawlers write up. Turns out it wasn't my timing chain that was making the noise. I still haven't pin pointed it yet but am pretty certain it's the valve head. From what I have read on here over the years of the cam lobes and rocker arms just ware out and you will get this loud ticking sound. I have adjusted the valves a bunch of times and it seemed to help a little but I think a new head and cam from engine builder is going to be the only fix to this problem. It really isn't a problem its just doesn't sound right.

Hope that helps you out a little. I would still take off the valve cover and inspect and get the engine builder front end kit and replace everything. I would also adjust the valves to see if it helps any. It really isn't a hard job... just read up on it like Phil said.

 

Thanks for the welcome - I had spent quite a while looking through 92 Toy's build thread and all I can say is WOW! That was a real adventure. (looking forward to doing mine )

I need to check out ENGNBLDR and see what is needed for this.

This forum rocks! - I had fixed a "dim headlight" problem that was covered here the first time I found the site. (who knew there was a fuse for each light?!!)

Thanks again and take care -

 

My engine makes a clicking sound too. It has since I bought it six years ago. This isn't serious right?? Someone said I just needed to adjust my valves or something.

 

hmmm..adjusting the valves is normal maintenance, you might wanna check it...

 

I don't think I'd want that 4cyl and an auto. If I ever bought another one, I'd change the guides just to know what's in there and drop the oil pan for the same reason.