I have a 91' 22re that leaks coolant into the top of the pistons... its hard to start every morning, but once I get it running, it runs fine . The next day its hard to start again...No over heating at all, temperature gauge barely moves past cold.., 2 of the plugs are wet when removed before starting, cylinders are wet...

Do you guys think its a cracked head or valve guide, or head gasket causing the issues ? No coolant in the oil, and it hasn't overheated or blown hoses yet. Once it gets started , takes about 6 minutes to clear out, and then it runs fine till the next day. It leaks about 2 tablespoons of coolant daily into the top of the cylinders.

 

At this point it doesn't matter which.

Pull the head take it to a machine shop to check. If it's not cracked then do the headgasket and call it a day

 

What would it cost to have the head checked out at the machine shop ? I see heads on ebay go for like $250 complete ? Truck is only worth about $700, body is gone, but the rest is still good.

 

I just dropped mine off at a machine shop. 35 to check it. 80 to check it and machine it. You will want it machined if it checks ok. That price included cleaning. This will vary, call around.

I chose a shop that was not the cheapest but price quotes i got were around the same thing. Within a few dollars anyway

 

Thanks for the info.....I will have to locate a machine shop that works on engines, the few that I know only fabricate stuff, and do not work on engine components around here in NJ. I might just buy a new head off ebay and gasket set, and call it a day.

 

If you buy a new head do yourself a favor and get one of engnbldrs heads and not some cheap Chinese head.

Alot of carquest have machine shops. Some napa do to