79 2000. Blown head gasket or cracked block?

[barnesjtsl]

I have had for the last few weeks been having over heating issues.

After multiple posts to the forum determined a head gasket.

I have the milky oil under the oil cap.

How can I be sure it is a head gasket and not a cracked block?

Thanks all.

[BEEK]

you cant without pulling the head and looking to find the culprit. but having said that cracked blocks happen very rarely in fiats. pull the head and inspect the gasket you will most likely find the problem.

[vandor]

As Beek said, I've never heard of a cracked block on a Spider, so it is very unlikely.

[So Cal Mark]

I've seen some cracked heads but never a cracked block. If you do a leak down test you can determine which cylinder is the culprit before disassembly. Once the head is off, carefully remove the head gasket so that it can be inspected

[BEEK]

mark , just the opposite for me. i had a block crack between the oil pressure to the head supply where the little dowel goes. it cracked longways, putting oil into the cooling. i have never seen a head cracked internally. i have seen one crack on the outside from freezing, between the coolant sensors

[So Cal Mark]

awhile back I posted a pic of a head we took off that was cracked from valve seat to valve seat

[barnesjtsl]

What am I looking for regarding inspecting the head gasket?

I have it off. It doesn't look bad. It does have what looks like a burnt mark on the area between the 2nd and 3rd cylinders.

jb

[BEEK]

post a picture please

[So Cal Mark]

look for one cylinder that is clean