I've heard from certain unreliable mechanics that there is no way to tell if my issue is a cracked cylinder wall or a blown head gasket without tearing the engine apart first, i just want to be sure. so is there a way to tell? Want to know so im fully prepared for whichever it is once i get everything pulled apart.

 

you have to pull everything apart anyways right? Whats the difference if its a headgasket or cracked sleeve if you just have to tear everything down anyways.

 

Seems unlikely that you'd crack a cylinder wall before blowing the headgasket unless there was some serious detonation happening.

 

The reason i would like to know which it is before hand is so i can have the part on hand when i tear it down as it's my only vehicle and can't have it down for too long.

 

well your going to need a new headgasket anyways, because if its a cracked sleeve then your going to have to tear the motor apart anyways. And if its a headgasket, then your going to have to tear it apart anyways lol

 

the reason they told you that was for the fact that both problems have similar symptoms. you have to open the engine up if you want to know for certain where the trouble is coming from.

 

leakdown is ur best bet..

remove rad cap, headers, and manifold, and put it in.. try to hear leaking, if u see bubbles thats not cool.

 

pull the head and move the pistons down to middle bore, most of the breaks in sleeves come from the squinch area. you can see the cracks mostly. the have the head inspected.

you can read a headgasket from the wear on it

 

Borescope down the sparkplug hole...