The engine in my 1992 Toyota 4x4 (22RE), Is it a "interference engine"?


Your input is highly appreciated.

 

Yes, it is.

 

that suck!

 

what does that mean.....

 

As was mentioned, yes, it is an intereference engine...

If the timing belt does break or jump a notch while the engine is running, the results will "interfere" in a serious way with your long-term savings plan. (Here's how it happens: in an "interference" engine, it's possible for open valves to hit an upward-moving piston, resulting in a collision that could best be described as "apocalyptic.")

 

Hey Jrallen, when your timing belt chain broke... did you tweak a valve? That seriously sucks if you did... I remember your post a while back when you asked about the chain breakage. You may have to get a head re-done... KA-Ching! Hopefully I am mistaken

 

This is not always true. I have heard more than one instance from reliable sources of timing chains breaking or coming off with no valvetrain or other engine damage. Much depends on the RPM the engine is turning. In the cases that I know of, the engine was idling when the chain broke. Everything was checked out at a machine shop and no damage was found.

On the other hand, if the chain breaks at high RPM, disaster is almost a certainity.

 

Designing engines as interference engines allows them to more easily achieve high compression, among other benefits.

If the maintenance is kept up, i.e., timing belts or chains replaced when manufacturer recommends and so forth, it's a non-issue.

 

It's not so much dependant upon the RPM as it is the position of the camshaft when the break happens. It's a luck of the draw thing and if you have a valve open and the piston comes up, *crunch*. Every interference motor I have ever shapped a chain on has required a tear down to see what the valves and pistons looked like. Not all have been damaged, but most have. At least with a non-interference motor, you can line everything back up, slide on a new belt and go on about your merry way.

 

Is the 3.4l interference also?

 

Nope

 

Excellent. There's a sticker on my timing belt cover which says it was changed in the middle 50k miles. Kind of early?

 

I think 60k is the recommended interval, so I don't think that is unreasonable. I change mine out every 30k. Better safe than sorry and I have no desire to have one fail when I need it most.

 

Every 60k??? Is this for belts only, or also for chains? I don't think the chain on mine has ever been replaced, but I don't have the time or money to get into my engine to change it right now, but I'd like to know for future referance.

 

Sorry, I should have been more specific. 60k is for a belt. The chains have a much longer service interval in most cases.

 

60K is for belts. If you have a 22R or 22RE, the timing chain guides are the major concern.

 

Here's a bit more along those lines.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/reviews/doatimingchain/

 

The 22-re is an interference engine. I have an exhaust valve sitting on my desk to remind me. The chain broke on my sister in law after she bought my 93 truck. It happened when she was starting the truck. Only minor damage. The valve was just slightly bent and the piston had a barley noticable dent. I fixed the chain and bent valve in about 8hrs. Kind of a PITA. I think if an engine (Toyota) has a belt its non interference, with a chain its inteference. There was about 130,000 miles on the truck when it happened. The 22-re doesn't have great guides or a double chain like the old 20r and 22r. You can replace the single row chain with a double from LC Engineering. Check out http://www.lcengineering.com/EngineAccs.htm . Part # 19-205 half way down the page.

 

Is the motor in my 1992 Toyota 4x4 (22RE), Is it an "interference" engine or not?

Update: Just removed the head and front cover. Discovered the head is fine (no bent valves and no bad pistons). Good news! The front cover is toast! Luckily no water jackets were trashed. There is a lot of aluminum bits floating in the motor so we are going to replace the oil pump and water pump and remove the oil pan and clean it for good measure.

The breakdown is actually a blessing in disguise, the head gasket looked like it was on its last legs.

So the parts list includes:

LC Engineering dual timing chain set
LC Engineering front cover
head gasket (OEM)
oil pump (OEM)
water pump (OEM)
Gasket set (OEM)
Head Bolts (ARP)

Am I forgetting anything?

Thanks everyone for all of your help.

Jonathan

 

Quote:

So the parts list includes:

LC Engineering dual timing chain set
LC Engineering front cover
head gasket (OEM)
oil pump (OEM)
water pump (OEM)
Gasket set (OEM)
Head Bolts (ARP)

Am I forgetting anything?

Thanks everyone for all of your help.

Jonathan

Sounds like a great plan, but why choose a dual timing chain set over a single? I'm not flaming you or anything, I'm just curious. There are single chain kits with metal backed guides from DOA Racing or engnbldr.com that are less expensive and don't rob as much horsepower.