Background: 1990 4x4, 147k miles on a 22RE engine. Until last week, I had a radiator with a corroded top. I let it go too long, and sitting in traffic one day when the temp guage went all the way right. I pulled over, added water, and replaced the radiator the next day.
My problem now is that I am still losing water (about a quart or two every 100 miles), although nothing is hitting the ground. I thought "blown head gasket, or warped head" due to my negligence in letting the darn thing overheat.
There appears to be a small amount of oil getting into the cooling system, and sticking my nose in the radiator filler hole reveals the smell of exhaust fumes. Here's where I'm stumped: there appears to be NO water in the oil (my timing chain once at a hole in its cover, so I know all about oil in the water -- looks like chocolate milk). Additionally, the spark plugs all look good, and the compression for the cylinders are: 170, 162, 168 and 168.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? I am planning on replacing the gasket myself in a few days, but don't want to waste my time if the problem lies elsewhere.
Final questions: assuming it's the head and/or head gasket -- how much for a new head? Also, while I have the top end off, should I be replacing or cleaning anything else?
Sorry for the long ramble. Any advice would be appreciated. I'll be sure to post my findings after I do the work.