88 4runner head gasket...? maybe (leaks oil)

[dclatour]

Oil leak. Owner i bought it from told me that he replaced some stuff, timing chain, oil pump, water pump (and i can tell by looking that its all new).

When re-assembling, he put the head back on, then the timing cover and says it "pinched the head gasket".

It is leaking oil and a couple of my grease monkey buddies dont think the leak is caused by the head gasket. I dont have any other of the common head gasket symptoms (milkshake oil, smoke in exhaust, it was running just fine no issues)

I started to clean it up and see about diagnosing this issue. (Fried the alternator with breakklean...yikes! i have a spare though) Couldnt figure anything out besides a general area of where its coming from. Near the distributor...

So i pulled the distributor and there was oil past the O-ring. I thought i just fixed it all for 2 bucks. Nope still leaks.

Ill throw up a couple pictures (phone pics...gah) I took last night (after i took the power steering pump and distributor off, cause its all in the way of where the leak is coming from)

Shed some light on this subject for me please gents. Ive been looking and looking at the threads on here and yotatech.com and im just not to sure about tackling this project on my own and feel i would be better off sending off the the shop down the road.

I do have some sort of manual
http://htftp.offroadsz.com/marinhaker/programi/VSI4KO ZA TOYO/toyota_truck_and_4runner_88.pdf
not sure on how accurate it is, as ive seen better out there.

Sorry for the long read, just had to get it all out there, and i do appreciate all the help, whats on the site already (seriously you guys are great, i enjoy just being a part of this forum) and whatever you guys have to offer

 

[KidVermicious]

Oil runs down the front of the motor, through a passage in the head and behind the timing cover. If the head isn't sealed to the timing cover, it can weep oil without being a "blown head gasket". It sounds like that's what your PO is talking when he says the timing cover pinched the gasket.

If that's right, the easiest fix will be to pull the timing cover and reseal it.

 

[dclatour]

i found this link with some instructions on what to do

22R/RE/REC/RET Timing Chain Replacement Instructions

is that pretty straight forward? and since i wont be replacing the chain or anything can i leave some of those steps out?

also one of the bolts holding the fan in is stripped, from when it was put on, i know many a bolts have been stripped and ive learned my lesson to stop when its getting there. any advice on how to get the fan off, or get that bolt off?

im new to alot of this stuff, what is that metal coil inside the fan too? in laymens terms, ive read up on it but its pretty technical for me.

 

[broken wrench]

That is very common issue when replacing health gasket without removing oil pan. When reassembling don't over tighten the bolt from head to front of timing cover,if you screw up it will crack it and leak. Also replace your distributor o ring

 

[KidVermicious]

i found this link with some instructions on what to do

22R/RE/REC/RET Timing Chain Replacement Instructions

is that pretty straight forward? and since i wont be replacing the chain or anything can i leave some of those steps out?

also one of the bolts holding the fan in is stripped, from when it was put on, i know many a bolts have been stripped and ive learned my lesson to stop when its getting there. any advice on how to get the fan off, or get that bolt off?

im new to alot of this stuff, what is that metal coil inside the fan too? in laymens terms, ive read up on it but its pretty technical for me.

That's the writeup I used the first time I did a timing cover, it should work great for you.

A brand new water pump and he stripped the stud? Your previous owner is a goof or a liar. You'll have to pull the water pump to pull the TC cover, I'd inspect it closely when you do and make sure it really is new. Getting between the fan and the water pump to get that nut off the stud will be tricky - if you can, just pull the whole water pump and fan as a unit and work on it on the bench.

The spring you're looking at is part of the fan clutch. I think it's there to attentuate shock loading when the motor stops and starts.

 

[airdreams1]

also one of the bolts holding the fan in is stripped, from when it was put on, i know many a bolts have been stripped and ive learned my lesson to stop when its getting there. any advice on how to get the fan off, or get that bolt off?

Id try vise grips. if you cant get them in there, then the only other thing I can think of is to use a dremmel with a wand attachment & a carbide bit & grind the head of the bolt/nut off.... After its off toy can pull the rest of the bolt/stud with vice grips & replace it.

im new to alot of this stuff, what is that metal coil inside the fan too? in laymens terms, ive read up on it but its pretty technical for me.

The spring is the fan clutch. After it heats up it will allow the fan to spin freely. this saves power (& your fingers if you stick them in there when its running. LOL)



An easy way to find oil leaks Is:

Get some Under Arm Deodorant with "Baby Powder" in it.... (Yes you will need to look for woman's deodorant & may get a strange look from people or the person @ the check out counter, but who cares.) Then degrease & pressure wash the entire motor (or at least the aria you suspect where the leak is) after its dry, spray enough to get a even coat of white baby powder on every thing that could possibly leak....
then run the motor for a short time & you should see a brown aria where the leak is. (oil turns the baby powder brown)

Yes I have used this trick for years & it really works.

 

[dclatour]

Thanks guys I appreciate all the help. I have to go to a school in Maine for two weeks and as much as I hate to do it I need to have a vehicle by the time I get back. So off to the shop she goes. Hopefully it doesn't cost me too much to stop that oil leak. But I do have a little bit of the cosmetics to take care of when I return. I'll keep everyone posted.