22 R-E engine question, is it time for a new one.

[bandhmo2]

Hello, this is my first time posting here but I am a regular over on the Jeep board. I could use some information on Toyota engines if you could be so kind.

My brother has a 93 Toyota pickup with a 4 cylinder 22 R-E engine. Recently it began running rough, the mechanic says the time timing chain has skipped 2 teeth, and he needs a new engine.

Now the timing chain skipping matches the symptoms so that makes sense. But I do not see how this could lead to the whole engine needing to be replaced. If the chain had broken I could see now the pistons may have hit the valves and needing a new head or rebuilt, but I would not think skipping 2 teeth would be out of time enough to cause the valves to hit.

I guess what I am asking here is does the mechanics opinion sound correct, would this really cause the engine to be totalled? Saidly I live to far from my brother to look at it myself.

Thanks,

[Gnarly4X]

Originally Posted by bandhmo2

Hello, this is my first time posting here but I am a regular over on the Jeep board. I could use some information on Toyota engines if you could be so kind.

My brother has a 93 Toyota pickup with a 4 cylinder 22 R-E engine. Recently it began running rough, the mechanic says the time timing chain has skipped 2 teeth, and he needs a new engine.

Now the timing chain skipping matches the symptoms so that makes sense. But I do not see how this could lead to the whole engine needing to be replaced. If the chain had broken I could see now the pistons may have hit the valves and needing a new head or rebuilt, but I would not think skipping 2 teeth would be out of time enough to cause the valves to hit.

I guess what I am asking here is does the mechanics opinion sound correct, would this really cause the engine to be totalled? Saidly I live to far from my brother to look at it myself.

Thanks,

How does the "mechanic" know that the TC has skipped 2 teeth? Which teeth?

If the TC is off 2 teeth on the top cam sprocket that would make the cam timing off about 18 degrees - advanced or retarded, depending on which direction the chain "skipped" - I don't think the engine would even run. One negative effect if two teeth skipped on the crank sprocket would have is ignition timing. Timing chains on these engines can go "bad" and not require a "new engine".

If the TC is loose enough to skip over the sprocket, it should be making one helluv noise and probably has worn through the side of the timing cover. What typically wears out are the two chain dampers one each side of the chain, allowing the steel chain to flop against the inside of the alloy timing cover, which wears a groove in it fairly quickly.

I think your brother should get another opinion.

[4Crawler]

As long as the valves are still intact, should not be any engine damage. Check the timing chain and replace it if needed. There is a writeup on that in the Toyota section here.

[Allular]

Skipping two teeth sounds unbelievable. How exactly would it manage to do this? Just curious. Any other indications that led the mechanic to this conclusion? I mean, lots of things can make an engine run rough.