Well I picked up a clean 89 truck with the 22re 5 speed 4wd. I always wanted a truck like this but there was a problem. There was antifreeze in the oil, it ran like poop, wouldnt go into 3rd gear and popped out of 1st. No big deal right? Well I replaced the tranny, clutch and u joints. I took the head off because I suspected that the head gasket was shot and leaking coolant into the oil. While I had it off I had a machine shop do it up with new valves and straighten it all out however they do. So i put it all back together with new head bolts and gaskets all over and today I tried to start it.
Wouldnt stay running. When i gave it some gas it sounded like it was running on 3 cylinders. I set the timing and tried it again. Same thing. I checked the oil and there was antifreeze in there agian! DAMN. Do you guys think the block is cracked? Once I saw that I gave up. Anyone have a positive diagnosis or got a 22re for sale in New England or need a nice new head?

Thanks for reading my novel.
Man I'm bummed.
Andy

 

When you had the head off did you notice if the timing chain guides were in place and in good shape? If plastic guide on the exhaust side of the motor is broken the chain will eat a hole in the cover and into the water pump. This could be the problem.

 

Did they crack check the head?

 

The chain guides did look "OK". They were not worn thru. They did check the head for cracks, they also hot tanked it and planed it flat.

 

Water could be getting into your cylinder and killing the spark.. That *might* be why it's running on 3.

When you tightened the head, did you tighten in the proper order?
What type of HG did you use?
Check the deck of the block with a straight edge?

 

Hey I had this happen to me, so I'm converting to a dual chain conversion lce kit. is there anything else I need to replace when the oil looks like chocalate milk from all the coolant or do I just need to drain the oil? Thanks in advance.

J

 

depends on how long you have run the truck for. I hope you didn't drive it around maverick while it had contaminated oil. If you did, you are risking a good amount of $$ putting her back together ... the water could have worn your rings and main bearings down severly. chocolatey oil = poor lubrication = high wear.
and mtrdrms, how long have you ran it and had residue in the oil? I have had numerous problems with my 22re all due to different reasons. Blown head gasket #1 from previous owner overheating it on a lake. Swapped HG and had residue for a full oil change, after that it was clean. Then HG again due to clogged radiator at the Mud River of Death crossing in Minnesota. Changed the HG all the valves Timing Chain and still had residue for 2 oil changes after. Last, lower bearing 3 went along with rings 1 and 2 due to high wear (contaminated oil). Currently in a full overhaul with performance internal comp.
For the part of running on three cyllinders. Are you 100% sure it is mechanically timed correctly? valve cover removed turn crank to TDC and look at cam sproket?

 

Sounds like your timing cover is leaking. I would pull it off and redue the gaskets and change the guides to steel. You can do this without pulling the head again.

 

I only drove it for about 5 minutes once I noticed it got hot, not to mention it was like 30 degrees outside.