Head gasket or timing cover

my 93 toyota 22re ran above norm temp on my way home from work. i took the thermostat out and drove home. there is milky stuff in radiator and on oil cap. the timing chain has been making noise for a few miles. there is no way of knowing without pulling it apart but . when the chain wears through the cover would it allow oil into coolant? timing chain covers are hard to comeby locally. i called a dealer and they want $285 for cover. this truck is my sole means of transport. could it possibly just be a head gasket. i have a mechanic that can fix this weekend im just wondering if i really need the cover?

it does sound like head/gasket.the chain rubbing through the cover would'nt cause oil/water to mix.the cover can be repaired so forget the 285 for a new one.Good Luck

it does sound like head/gasket.the chain rubbing through the cover would'nt cause oil/water to mix.the cover can be repaired so forget the 285 for a new one.Good Luck


Wrong and wrong.

A worn Timing Chain can rub a hole through through the TC Cover, which WILL allow coolant and water to mix.

Once you have this hole, the TC cover needs replacing (it's not worth some half-ass patching).

If it was the HG you would see evidence in the exhaust (white smoke and a sweet smell).

To verify the TC you can pull the oil pan and look for pieces of the TC guides and/or pull the valve cover and look down by the TC to check on the guides (and maybe even see a hole).

Also, the crank bearings do not like coolant in the oil !!

Whether it turns out to be the TC or HG, check engnbldr.com for parts. Ted has great service and prices.

hello ibewhand,sorry if i gave you bad info.i was thinking the chain wore a hole in the front of cover causing an oil leak(external).the cover listed for $93 at auto zone for a 93 toy. 22re engine so thats cheaper.i still would think its repairable without half assing it.but maybe not Good Luck

I finally got it tore down lastnight. The Timing cover had grooves worn pretty deeply, though there appeared to be no hole under close inspection i noticed tiny holes in the waterpump inlet part of the cover. the head is on its way to the machine shop. I guess as soon as i get the head back i can put it all back together.

thanks for your responses

I pulled a timing cover off of a 22r and it looked the same only its about a 1/4 inch taller. i read somewhere that 85 to 94 would fit. the original cover has a 10k stamp on it and the taller one has a 7k stamp.

hopefully by posting here i can help someone else not make this mistake.

now im back to square one. a friend of mine says he knows a welder that can fix the worn cover.

has anyone had any experience with welding a cover?

I pulled a timing cover off of a 22r and it looked the same only its about a 1/4 inch taller. i read somewhere that 85 to 94 would fit. the original cover has a 10k stamp on it and the taller one has a 7k stamp.

hopefully by posting here i can help someone else not make this mistake.

now im back to square one. a friend of mine says he knows a welder that can fix the worn cover.

has anyone had any experience with welding a cover?
If you are going to have someone weld it just make sure you bolt it flat to a sturdy table and then let it cool before you remove from the table. It is going to depend on how long and how much heat it is going to absorb while welding. The last thing you want is a warped cover.

thanks gator.

the person who is doing the welding is supposed to be a pro at restoring parts, he does it for a living. i have a mech. that is helping me reassemble and he says that we should have it running today. ive got my fingers crossed.