does my 91 pickup need new timing cover?

[MrHawk]

Howdy!
I'm a fairly recent owner of a 91 pickup. It has 180000+ miles, and didn't have a timing chain replaced. I noticed on cold mornings whitish smoke that doesn't dissipate quickly, and has a 'chemical' smell to it. I also noticed some white gunk under the oil filler cup, so it seems to me like some coolant might be getting into the engine, right? After thorough research I found out the timing chain in 22REs is a common problem. What's the reasonable $$$ to spend to have a shop do the job?
I am a shade tree mechanic ( I replaced an engine on my 74 WV), and although the directions for the job seem straight forward, I know it would probably take me a while to do this myself. Also, is this an urgent matter, if the truck is not overheating?
Thanks.

[MrHawk]

I just talked to a local shop that specializes in japanese cars, and was told that a broken TC would not leak coolant into the engine, so its probably a head gasket. From what I read on here that sounds bogus to me. Can anyone confirm?

[fourwd1]

If the Timing Chain was broken, the engine wouldn't start or run at all.
The common problem with the 22R is the TC stretches with wear and the guides break. This creates a lot of slack in the chain that lets it rub against the TC cover. Eventually it wears a hole thru the TC cover, which allows oil and coolant to mix.
And crank bearings, among other things, don't like coolant.

[MrHawk]

Thanks,

Aside from taking it apart and looking inside the cover, are there any other signs/indications that the guides and cover might be shot?