Condensation in valve cover

[joe37705]

So, I've got a 87 22r that after warmed up and shut down, then restarted after maybe 10 mins puffs out a big cloud of white smoke and smells like antifreeze. So far there is no water in the oil, yet anyway. I pulled the plugs and they all look ok so I'm not sure if it's a head gasket or not.

It seems to be using some water and building pressure in the radiator. So could this be a cracked head or just a gasket?

Also for some reason the timing gear on the crank is rubbing on the timing cover. I thought it just needed a new timing chain so I did replace that, but it's still doing it. Any ideas?

 

[NotMatt]

So, I've got a 87 22r that after warmed up and shut down, then restarted after maybe 10 mins puffs out a big cloud of white smoke and smells like antifreeze. So far there is no water in the oil, yet anyway. I pulled the plugs and they all look ok so I'm not sure if it's a head gasket or not.

It seems to be using some water and building pressure in the radiator. So could this be a cracked head or just a gasket?

Also for some reason the timing gear on the crank is rubbing on the timing cover. I thought it just needed a new timing chain so I did replace that, but it's still doing it. Any ideas?

On the timing chain thing... did you replace the tensioner as well, or just the chain? Is the chain guide still there on the driver's side... it's supposed to keep the chain from rubbing on the cover, but it's common for them to brake since they're just plastic.

The water use and pressure in the radiator definitely sounds like a head gasket leak... it's probably leaking from one of the cylinders into the water jacket a small amount. This is something you definitely want to fix, because it will erode away the aluminum on the head in the area where the leak is if you keep running it like that, and then you'll be looking at a new head in addition to a new head gasket.

 

[TreeClimber]

When you pull the head to replace the gasket, send it to a machine shop to have it checked for a crack. IF it has a minute crack, it COULD expand when it's very warm (such as during post shut off - when there's no coolant flowing thru the head or when it's ran hard) and suck some coolant into the combustion chamber creating the smoke you see. If nothing else, you've eliminated a potential problem for later

 

[joe37705]

I did replace the guides and when I got the truck it had a blown head gasket. I checked the flatness as much as I could and it seemed ok so that's why I'm thinking it may be a crack.

The timing chain is the strange part. I just don't understand why it's rubbing right next to the crank. Any ideas?

 

[joe37705]

So no one has any ideas?

 

[CHOP SHOP]

go to napa and buy thier tester for carbon monoxide (combustion gasses) in your radiator. it will tell you without a doubt if it is a crack or head gasket. it has colored fluid that you pour into a tube they provide then you place it in the top of your radiator and pump this little pump that it comes with and it draws vapors from your cooling system through the fluid. if the fluid changes color (it will go from blue to yellow) then you have carbon monoxide in your radiator (crack or head gasket). this kit will cost you almost 50 bucks but is worth it if your a toyota owner. and napa sells refills of the test fluid. just follow the instructions this is a great tool. good luck.:awesomework:

 

[joe37705]

I'm pretty sure the head is junk so I'm not too worried about it. It's the timing chain hitting the cover I'm worried about.

 

[toyman21]

to check the head i think its called magniflux or somthing like that.
id have the head checked,also what head gasket did you use?
if it wasnt a toyota gasket it could be bad again.
as for the timing thing you might have replaced the chain but what about the guides and also the tensoner (sp) i think its a must,if you change them you need to put in the guides with the metal backs.
as for you head being bad i dought it unless you have really overheated it.

 

[joe37705]

For the timing chain the chain, tensioner, both guides and both gears were replaced. The only thing I can think of is the bottom gear on the crank is walking forward. But I don't understand how it can do that.

I think I used a fel pro head gasket or something. I retorqed the head bolts and it may have stopped leaking actually. But that kinda makes me nervous anyway.