94 4X4 coolant mixing with oil

My 1994 22RE engine overheated. I checked the radiator and it was empty so I checked the oil and noticed it had coolant.
I removed the head and replaced the head gasket. Also replaced the gaskets on the intake manifold. I put it back togethor with fresh oil and coolant but darn it - the coolant is still mixing with the oil.
I did a good job of removing the old gaskets so am confident that's not the problem. Didn't notice any cracks in the block and used new head bolts. My next idea was to replace the water pump gasket. Any other ideas? Anything I'm missing?

178K miles, headers, LC engineering cam

Maybe I'll try the Thermagasket sealant advertised on this forum. Any experience with this?

It's quite possible it wasn't the HG, especially if you did not see white smoke out the tailpipe (an indication of coolant being burned).

The culprit may be a worn Timing Chain has worn a hole thru the TC cover, allowing oil and coolant to mix.

Thanks for the reply. I'll pull the timing chain cover and replace the gasket.

X2 on the timing cover. I'd been thru several of them!

Frustrating day today. I tried to pull the timing chain cover but couldn’t get the crankshaft pulley bolt off. It’s a 19mm bolt. I used a six point socket with a ½” drive torque wrench. Couldn’t get enough torque from the torque wrench so I used a longer cheater bar. I ended up shearing off the ½” square head on the torque wrench. That darn bolt just didn’t want to budge. I’ve taken it off before but not sure why it is stuck now. I thought about drilling it out but then I would have to drill and tap the crankshaft. So I gave up and put the engine back together.
I’m going to try a chemical stop leak product. If that doesn’t stop the coolant from mixing with the oil, I’m thinking about other options. Any market for taking parts off and selling them on ebay or other place? If not, I may just call a tow truck and collect the scrap value.
By the way, the truck runs but the coolant mixes with oil very quickly. It is not a slow leak.

If it is the timing chain problem you will need to replace the timing chain and guides soon. The way to remove the bolt from the lower pulley is to use a impact wrench. take the radiator out so you have some room.

If your timing cover has a hole in it, stop leak will not work. The timing chain is going to be slapping it constantly.

Thanks for your help guys. The problem was the timing chain cover. It had a hole in it just like several of you mentioned. I replaced the cover, timing chain, tensioners, etc. I had to take a torch to the crankshaft pulley bolt but finally got that bolt off.

Overall, I had about 1.5 hours of engine operation with an oil/water mixture. I mentioned this to a mechanic and he estimates I will get 3-5K miles on the motor before it throws a rod. These 22RE enignes are tough so I'll see.

By the way, I called a junk yard about salvage value on the truck. $400 was the offer.

Why throwing a rod in 3-5?K??? Was it knocking? If you didn't run it for long with the crankcase full of water it should run for a long time. Run some Rotella T or other DIESEL service oil in it after you get it running. Run that oil for about 500 miles, then change it (I'd use Rotella all the time) The diesel oils have the detergents in them that gasolines took out years ago!

If the truck is decent, I'd give you the salvage price anyday (and I have no use for it right now other that to play with) I'm right down the road from you in Walterboro SC.

ernie

Thanks for the information in this post. I am about to work on a truck that has the same issue. they have already replaced the head gasket and still have the same issue. I will investigate the timing chain cover first. Thanks a lot to all of you.

Pull the valve cover and use a flashlight to check the TC guides and the wall of the TC cover.