Radiator or cracked cylinder head?

[LMac]

G'day,

Is there any way to tell if my car's overheating problems are due to a knackered radiator, or a cracked cylinder head?

I've had one (trusted) mechanic tell me it's definitely a cylinder head, and basically told me to get rid of the car. But the dodgy pricks from my local Holden dealer have just told me I only need a new radiator. I have a bad feeling they are trying to get more cash out of me before fixing the real problem.

Any help would be great.

Cheers,
LMac

[Hot-Rod]

Whats the Symptoms?

When my radiator went it had a crack in the hot side (Drivers side) of the radiator. Caused the temperature to rise and fall while driving, the hot alarm would sound, then it would go down again. Replaced radiator and termostat, no problems after that. I would look at ur radiator before looking at heads.

[LMac]

Whats the Symptoms?

It has overheated a few times now, and is using a heap of coolant. The bottom of the radiator cap always has brown muck on it. The oil looks ok, not too milky or anything like that, but it's fairly new.

The Holden guys I deal with are particularly shady, which is why I think they're taking me for ride!

[Ripcell]

could be leaking from a number of places? does it leave drips after its been parked when its hot? could be inlet manifold gaskit also it its leaking from there the water might evaporite on the hot engine before it makes it to the ground

take it to a different mechanic and get it pressure tested

[i'm timmy]

Start car fill radiator! 1st
if you get constant bubbles in the radiator with the cap of its the head! Simple

[LMac]

Thanks for the responses - much appreciated. I've also noticed another sound recently when starting up - kinda sounds like water running down a pipe. Any ideas?