Topic: 1987 4runner new head water in oil

[jeremiah87yota]

I recently purchased a 87 4runner, auto, 22re. The previous owner put a brand new head on it last year along with timing chain gears guides, tensioner exc. The owner stated he got the timing chain off by one or two teeth when he installed the timing chain. The guy didn't really know what he was doing because the truck never would run right and it sat for a year before I picked it up with a trailer for 300 bucks last week.

The radiator was empty so I filled it with water just for testing purposes. I brought it back up on TDC, reset the distributor to #1, jumped the terminals and it fired, even ran half way decent enough to pull it in the garage. No Knocks, smoke exc. Still under powered an unable to get it to run right I confirmed the timing to be off so I tore it down, and pulled the timing chain cover. (without taking the head off) I drained the oil to remove the oil pan and the first three seconds of the oil draining was water. I called the guy to get a break down on the work performed and he thought it might be condensation. Any thoughts?? I'm thinking about tearing it all the way down and having the head checked block exc. Sucks, hate cleaning up after youtube mechanics.

[mkyhmltn]

Sorry to hear it, but I would tear it down and at least check it out. No telling how long there was water in there or how long it ran like that.

[Cheesemaker]

I would definitely pull the head. At that cost, your still money ahead, even if you have to do some motor work.

[Rocksurfer]

Noting that you say he had no clue what he was doing you may also want to check the work done on the front of the engine, water can and does leak through the timing chain area. In fact I'd make sure that isn't where the leak is coming from before I pull the head.

[Snowtoy]

Unless the truck has been sitting outside with the valve cover and hood off, there shouldn't be any way for water to get into the the oil pan from outside.  I would guess either the timing cover was eaten through by the timing chain, the block wasn't drained when he replaced the head, he cracked the head when he bolted it on, or put possible put the HG on wrong.  I would do a thorough inspection, for $300 if the rest of the Runner is in good shape, even with a complete rebuild of the block, you are still money ahead.

[camhays556]

check the timing chain cover, mine was warped an leaked water in.. good luck 

[jeremiah87yota [OP]]

I think you guys are right, just wanted some input. Hate to tear it down but I know I need to. The valve cover was off for the entire year but the hood was closed. Tough call for sure. Its going to be a great truck. Found a 5 speed trans and transfer case for 300 with pedals and cross-member Its still in the truck at my local salvage yard.