This may sound like an obvious question to some, but i would like to know, how, without stripping the engine, do you determine whether th head gasket has "gone". Is it just that you are losing water or is there another way?? - (#348) Bob Amabile, 24 Jun 01

try running the engine with the rad cap off. Continuous fine bubbles comong up could mean a leaking gasket.
After that, a cylinder leakage test can determine whether any combustion pressure is getting into the water or oilways.
Oil level rising mysteriously? - (#350) David Miller, 24 Jun 01

Happened to me last week. Run the engine with the rad cap off. If you get a chug-chugging from the top, then the head gasket has gone. Mine went big time, still waiting for the final estimate!! - (#355) phil jones, 25 Jun 01