Does this sound like the head gasket has blown?

[samyl21]

Sorry if I’ve posted in the wrong place.. I’m just looking for some advice about my astra 2010 automatic 111k mileage.
The hose that connects the coolant to the engine has burst, creamy brown water was coming from the coolant tank (assume it’s cracked but can’t find where the water leaked from) I’ve been told it means the head gasket has blown. Oil is fine. The coolant had some issues with leaking a while back which was fixed.
The car isn’t overheating but it did drive sluggish and the engine was knocking a bit before the hose burst.
I usually only drive it locally but recently it’s been doing a lot of motorway driving.
If anyone has experience in this can you confirm what it sounds like the problem is and if it’s worth repairing or not?
I’ve been suggested to try a head gasket sealant but I’m worried it won’t work or that this isn’t even the issue. I can’t afford to throw tons of money at it. I’d rather get a new car if this one is on its last legs.
So what would you do? Thank you.

[cknotty]

What engine? If it's the 1.6 petrol, the oil cooler seals are known to go and you get some mixing of coolant with oil. Maybe worth investigating that first before going to head gasket replacement?

[GreenV8S]

That fits the symptoms of a leak between the combustion chamber and the cooling system.

It would be possible to test for that fairly easily using a cylinder leakdown test.

[normalbloke]

‘the engine was knocking a bit’….

[samyl21]

Thank you both I’ll get that tested asap

And sorry for not using correct terminology I’m a woman with no idea about cars but thanks for your input 👍

[GliderRider]

The Astra engines have a habit of over pressuring due to the breather in the rocker cover. THis can give head gasket type symptoms.