head gasket / block problem with '91 4Runner 22RE

Hello, all, I'm asking this on behalf of a friend who's at his wits end with a 1991 4Runner in otherwise showroom shape, about 200k miles, with the 22RE 4-cylinder engine.

This started with a visible coolant leak around the timing cover, and some evidence of coolant in the oil. He installed a Toyota Parts headgasket and had the head checked, was pronounced fine so was cleaned and reinstalled with new bolts.

Six months later, boom coolant in oil again. Pulled head, this time the machine shop said it was mildly distorted and they 'decked' it. This time he installed a Fel-Pro gasket.

Now three months later the problem has reversed itself: oil in the coolant, enough to float on top of the coolant in the radiator.

He is pulling his hair out. I have read about the V6 headgasket/block issues, but no mention of problems with the 4 cylinder (not that I have come across yet, anyway).

Any advice, tips, or pointers to Web pages or FAQs would be appreciated.

Thanks

Steve

Well no replies yet so I'll take a shot. First, it is almost inconceivable that a 22re can go 200k with no head problems but whatever. There is a wealth of info out there on this, but basically it's kind of a given that these things will need head gaskets at sooner rather than later. You don't give any other other history for this motor so it's all conjecture. First, I have had terrible luck with american head gaskets, and good luck with Japanese OEM stuff. Shop around and you can find them cheaper than you think. Try Johnnie's Foreign Engine if you like. I can get whole engine gasket sets and timing chain/gear sets for the price of a victor/felpro head gasket by itself. http://www.22re.com
My guess is, with the mileage on this motor, if all is basically original, you've got some problems with the timing chain cover. There are some threads for this on this site, and you can find them easy enough. If the chain and tensioner are worn, it can abrade into oil and coolant passages and there you go. Really. the myth that these things go "forever" is just that. They can go a long time for sure, for very little expense, but not forever. I've got a half dozen of them, pickups and 4runners, and the gaskets are the weakest points, 4 cyl and 6 cyl. It's a bi-metal expansion thing (iron block/ aluminum head), and that's just the way it is. All this assumes the people "checking" the head are competent. Did they just lay a straight edge across the thing, or did they pressure check it for cracks. There's a lot to know, and you haven't given anybody much to go on. Ther's a lot of smart people on this site. History and details matter. Also, this thing may very well just be wore out, in which case you can disregard everything else I've said, and just rebuild it.

madbodger sort of glossed over it because it's only one possibility of many, but there's a good chance you have a worn out timing chain guide. The chain then chews up the timing cover. Search this forum.