Shaz
Head is off.  He pointed out the 1 little chip in one cylinder.  & how the bottom end (is that the block??) had 1 cylinder that was shinier/cleaner that the rest because water had been getting in there.  Was good to see when they lowered the hoist that the boot was covered with good thick cloth cover & there were other bits in the engine bay covered as well. 

Hi Shaz,
It's a bit hard to tell from the photos but that little chip you speak of in the cylinder head almost looks a bit like its been caused by cavitation erosion which can be caused by incorrect coolant conditioning. The shape of that pit mark looks like it is encroaching on the fire ring sealing face so I hope they are going to weld it up and machine back that face to repair it.
Also it would be a good idea to get the head pressure tested, hopefully there are no other holes like that elsewhere in the coolant passages where they cant be seen.

Nik_Lee

Shaz
Head is off.  He pointed out the 1 little chip in one cylinder.  & how the bottom end (is that the block??) had 1 cylinder that was shinier/cleaner that the rest because water had been getting in there.  Was good to see when they lowered the hoist that the boot was covered with good thick cloth cover & there were other bits in the engine bay covered as well. 

Hi Shaz,
It's a bit hard to tell from the photos but that little chip you speak of in the cylinder head almost looks a bit like its been caused by cavitation erosion which can be caused by incorrect coolant conditioning. The shape of that pit mark looks like it is encroaching on the fire ring sealing face so I hope they are going to weld it up and machine back that face to repair it.
Also it would be a good idea to get the head pressure tested, hopefully there are no other holes like that elsewhere in the coolant passages where they cant be seen.

hhhmmm, "coolant conditioning?, cavitation erosion?, fire ring sealing face?", lol............. no idea.  but still open to trying to learn what things mean. 
 
but, yes he did say the engine place would more than likely weld it, and has always said that it would be pressure tested, check for cracks, etc & machined.  he also said he would be completely flushing the coolant. 
 
I am confident that he knows what he is doing. 

I would also change your coolant cap whilst your at it because if it is not keeping the correct pressure in the cooling system that can also add to cavitation erosion so the cheap cost of a new coolant cap is cheap insurance.
 
lol, sorry if I got carried away there Shaz, these are just things I deal with on a daily basis.

well def looks liek water enetered for sure, pic 2 shows the mark really well.
im sure your mechanic is a good guy, but please tell him to use toyota red coolant when its all doen and ready, as currently i can see you have green coolant in there
cheers

Head is at engine place. They gave me the option of repair or recondition/rebuild head. Decided to pay the extra and get it done properly. Yes, they know to use genuine or other good quality stuff. Red coolant will be used.

She was almost ready to come home yesterday.  I called just before I left work & they said not quite.  Got her all back together & going.  When they checked the oil pressure they weren't happy. Not enough pressure. May have been a tiny bit of something fell in. So they took apart again. Now waiting on another head gasket. Lots more work for them, but no extra charge to me. Just means it could be Monday before I have her, depending on when the gasket arrives. 

Got my baby back yesterday afternoon.  A couple of hundred less than I was expecting.  $ 2082
She is running great & sounds so much better too. 
 
 

Awesome to hear!