Cracked head?

[fatheads13]

I need some help. My 89 with a SOHC was running fine until about two weeks ago when I noticed it getting hot. Water was down so i put more in and it disappeared. Of course it had gone into the oil, so i figured i had a bad head gasket. Well, my problem is that i've got the top of the engine off and the head gasket was fine. Any ideas on what it could be? I was thinking maybe a cracked head, although there arent any obvious cracks. Thanks.

[TrunkMonkey]

did your car suffer from the infamous timing chain rattle at start up?

-demetrius

[fatheads13]

it did have a clicking noise at startup, and between about 2600 and 3200 rpm. i always figured i had a loose rocker arm, but it could be the chain.

[TrunkMonkey]

pull off the front cover and see if the chain guides are there. if not, check the inside of the cover (around the water pump) and see if the chain chewed into it.

-demetrius

[bruinbear714]

I need some help. My 89 with a SOHC was running fine until about two weeks ago when I noticed it getting hot. Water was down so i put more in and it disappeared. Of course it had gone into the oil, so i figured i had a bad head gasket. Well, my problem is that i've got the top of the engine off and the head gasket was fine. Any ideas on what it could be? I was thinking maybe a cracked head, although there arent any obvious cracks. Thanks.

In the area where you pulled off the timing cover, there are about 2 or 3 quarter sized seals that keep the oil and coolant from mixing. Those might be worned/leaking. The other place where water can get into the oil system is through the head gasket.

[fatheads13]

Yea, it was the timing chain cover. The chain had eaten through it. Oh well, guess the CA's going in there quicker than expected. Thanks for the help!