Cracked cylinder head or bad head gasket what's my best option?

[JJMaine]

I have been chasing my tail buying coil, coil wires, spark plugs and a fuel pump because my truck has a misfire on startup. Finally came across a post and someone said maybe the heads cracked causing coolant to run into the cylinders when the truck cools off.

Plugged in my $20 Amazon bore scope and bingo! I have been noticing very slow coolant loss since I owned the truck (about a year) but also had some seeping out of the thermostat housing hoses that someone put cheap hose clamps on instead of the OEM constant tension clamps.

Long story short, what should I do here? Refurbished heads and have a shop install? New/refurb engine and have a shop install? It's been burning coolant I suspect for at least the last year so could there be any more damage to the engine now instead of just the cylinder heads?

I'm getting misfire codes on start up mostly cylinder 4 (where these photos came from) but recently cylinder 2 which would mean both heads. Not sure what to do but the truck is in damn good shape and definitely worth fixing. Also it will be cheaper than buying a new one.

 

[JJMaine]

Or could it just be the head gasket?

 

[JJMaine]

Guessing head gaskets, this is the next cylinder over and it looks like it's leaking near the gasket sealing surface?

 

[Angie]

before you do something unneeded spend a few dollars and minutes looking onto the cause... this is a tool i swear by having in your tool chest. there are many different styles. they are all worth the money. cheers

RELD Head Gasket Tester Kit Combustion Leak Detector for 50 Tests, Diagnostic & Test Tools - Amazon Canada

RELD Head Gasket Tester Kit Combustion Leak Detector for 50 Tests in Diagnostic & Test Tools.

www.amazon.ca

 

[JJMaine]

will that tool tell me which is leaking, cracked head vs head gasket? I think I've verified that coolant is leaking into my cylinders with the bore scope