My 87 22re is using a radiator full of water every 15 miles and the exhaust is white and I have no drips or leaks. At 220k, I'm wondering if I need to replace the engine or just have head gasket done. Any thoughts? Know anybody in Seattle area to recommend for the work?
Thanks,
Mark

Well if it is using that much that quickly its gotta be going somewhere. So if there are no leaks. Where is it going? It cant be going into the oil, you would see a leak somewhere. So it must be burning off and going out your tail pipe. It seems like you need a new head gasket. Check your oil and see if there is anti freeze in your oil. That would tell you

sounds like your smoking gun there(no pun intended). at 220k it might be wise to rebuild/replace the engine, especially if there's any water in the oil.

time for a compression test.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> I'm guessing at least one of them will be in the thirtys......

Back up a minute....

Compression test numbers are 142-171 psi, +/- 4%
Typically if you have 2 low numbers on adjacent cylinders, it points to a HG. That's when a leakdown test is also warranted, as it checks the top end for ya.

I would also suspect a chewed-thru timing chain cover; take the valve cover off and see if the guides are still there or not. TC R&R

Your other sign of a coolant leak is if you pull your spark plugs and they're white.

Lots of Seattle folk here if you're a willing pupil.

I think it's a little pointless for a compression test at this point. The white smoke out the tail pipe is all you need to know. With that mileage I agree a complete rebuild is needed.

Check the oil for contamination, if its greyish and there is a marshmellow under the oil cap, quit running it immediately!

There is no quick fix for your situation. Topend must come off to deteremine where the problem is. You might get lucky and only have a busted head gasket. If engine has never been apart things might be easier and cheaper to fix.

Anyways, head has to come off for inspection. The gasket will show the failure plain as day if its the gasket. If the head is eroded, again it will be quit obvious. If the head is cracked....that makes thing tougher. Any combustion chamber that looks different than the other 3 is the problem cylinder.

No easy bets on the point of failure until the head is off.
These days, even a new head casting and gasket set are readily available from Engnbldr without breaking the bank. Tear down and reassembly arent TOO time consuming providing you have the tools.

~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

Hey at least it's a 4cyl. You can pull the head off yourself and bring it in to a shop.
Coolant loss and white smoke are good signs your HG went south. If you don't have water in your oil yet you will in a day or two.
I just went through this with my 88 4runner last week.
I'd quit driving now and pull the head off before you damage the engine.
Reman heads for your truck aren't too spendy. 3 to 400 last time I priced one (aluminum head builders in Portland OR is a good shop).
If your head is still good a cleaning, resurface and valve adjustment can be done for 1/2 the cost of a remanufactured head.
Good luck, be thankful it's not a 3.0L V6.

i wouldn't waste my time on a reman when you can get a NEW head from engnbldr for $400!