Blown Head Gasket or Cracked Head?

[Broosedamoose]

This is on my 2007 Ranger XLT. I'm getting a "Misfire: Cylinder 4" and the coolant reservoir is overflowing at times. Sometimes when it's been idling for a bit, it will start skipping and making like a popping sound and steam starts pouring out the exhaust! I just had the heads replaced about two months ago because they cracked from overheating due to a blown head gasket. I haven't had any overheating since then but now I have this new issue. Is there any way of telling if it's another blown head gasket or if it's a cracked head? Usually a blown head gasket will cause the coolant to drain out causing the over heating but in this case it seems the coolant system is getting pressurized at times but then getting sucked out during idle. What do y'all think?

 

[RonD]

No, there is no way to tell the difference without removing the head and testing it

A blown head gasket "may" cause coolant to leak into an oil passage, so you get "milkshake" oil on dipstick, where a cracked head wouldn't have that symptom

If heads were tested and/or replaced recently then a blown head gasket would be more likely than cracked head

 

[rubydist]

Agreed, you will not know which it is until its apart and you can inspect the head.