Oil in radiator

[that1chick]

I have an '89 4Runner that’s really giving me a hard time. I had a rebuilt motor put in at about 245k miles. Now, 3 years and 30k miles later, there's oil in the radiator. Last summer it was over-heating, belts flying off etc… So I went through the usual diagnostics (really just throwing parts at it). I ended up replacing everything cooling system related from front to back. Still no resolution. Then I started noticing what looked like oil in the coolant (smells like it too). But, there aren’t any white streaks in the oil but the radiator is packed with what looks and smells like oil so the truck is parked till I decide to fix or sell.

Does this sound like a head gasket issue? Any input would be appreciated.

 

[KidVermicious]

22RE or 3VZE? If it's a 22RE it could be a hole in the timing chain cover letting oil into the coolant. But if it's a 3VZE it's probably a head gasket.

There's a couple different things you can do to diagnose, but the best is to go down to the parts store and get a block test. It'll test your coolant for exhaust fumes, and if it comes back positive you definitely have a bad head gasket.

 

[that1chick]

If it's a 22RE it could be a hole in the timing chain cover letting oil into the coolant.

Ooooh! It's a 22RE. About a month or so before it started overheating, I had the front main seal replaced because it was leaking oil. I wonder if there's an issue with the workmanship with putting the cover or seal back on.

 

[Bad_Vision]

It's a head gasket. Make sure to get a oem gasket from the dealer to ensure proper seal.

 

[KidVermicious]

Ooooh! It's a 22RE. About a month or so before it started overheating, I had the front main seal replaced because it was leaking oil. I wonder if there's an issue with the workmanship with putting the cover or seal back on.

It's definitely possible. Failure mode number one is for the timing chain to develop too much slack, break the guides, and rub a hole in the water jacket part of the timing chain cover. Failure mode number two is for the gasket between the timing chain cover and block to fail.

That's not to say it's definitely a TC cover issue though. When I failed to seal my TC cover well enough a couple years back, I think I got more coolant in the oil than oil in the coolant. But that could be a function of where exactly the gasket fails? I still think if I were you I would do a block test first though, and rule out the head gasket. If it comes back negative then you can look elsewhere.

 

[DangerRanger]

If you reused the cover and didn't change the timing kit, then I'd say that could be it.

I bought mine overheating and lots of coolant in the pan and vise a versa. Was a mess, but 100% related to the timing chain and not head gasket. Pull the valve cover off, and peak in there with a light to see if the chain guides are done. If yes, that is likely your culprit.

 

[nathan25]

Sounds like headgasket. Bummer