I have a 1990 Toyota 4wd P/U with 137K and a 22re engine. Removed the cylinder head cover after hearing some noise in that area for a while. The timing chain has some slack to it and to my horror it is wearing a groove into the side of the engine or the timing chain cover. Also there is a small oil leak that appears to be coming from the water pump gasket ( or so close to it that I can't tell the difference). Anyways I know it will cost at least $800 to fix and would like to know:
- Is it realistic that the chain will eat all the way through the engine causing it to die? Or can I put it off for a while and hope for the best?
- Is the oil leak something to worry about. I have not noticed any oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil.
The truck seems to run fine though the mpg has gone down. Don't really have the money to spend right now so anybodys advice on this would be appreciated.