Is there an easy way to tell if this is from a blown gaket or a cracked head?

 

A compression test or a leak down test. I would look at the coolant to see if there is traces of oil in it.
This residue could be from cold weather and short drives not allowing the engine to warm fully and burn off condensation in the oil pan
Check your oil level is it high and milky? Then maybe a head gasket but to be sure of a cracked head it will have to be magnafluxed if the crack is not visible

 

I'd second the "This residue could be from cold weather and short drives not allowing the engine to warm fully and burn off condensation in the oil pan".

Just double check the oil AND coolant level - if that looks good, along with the above comment, I don't think you have a problem there. Especially being it is cold and damp there these days.

 

Sorry I should have elaborated more.
I was just to po'd at the time.

I noticed this because I noticed the coolent bottle was empty. Once filled the coolent is no longer green but a redish brown and the oil on the dipstick is milky. I'm sure it has to be one or the other. I'm leaning towards a cracked head since there is oil in the coolent.

 

Same symptoms as a head gasket issue, change the timing chain and water pump while you're in there

 

With the coolant lose and all, Id agree with the head gasket.

 

Thanks guys.
anyone had one one done to give me a ballpark on what to expect.

I'm not uses to having to deal with such a tight engine bay.

 

to bad it wasn't a 2010 ss I have a head for sale with only 50,000 miles on it I would sell cheap
Tim

 

Shipping cost from Simi Valley California to Hamilton Ontario would have probably been brutal anyway........

 

$ would depend on your service person.