92 v-6 ciera losing coolant???

[jamesmetairie]

1992 Ciera,V-6 with 60,000 true miles on it. Elderly owner is my friend.Several months ago it sprang a leak at one of the little hoses and ran very hot . Maybe even till it stopped. Now , months later he says it keeps losing coolant. Tops off the resevoir to the correct line and few days later it,s gone. I looked in the resevoir and don,t see any oil mixture,etc. The radiator shop says it pressure tests ok.
The water pump and radiator are original.The heater core leaked and is by-passed.
Question = Is this the symptoms of a warped engine head or blown head gasket ? How would the car be tested for a head problem ?

[maxwedge]

If it ran so hot the engine temproaily seized more than likely internal damage has occurred, but that could mean bad head gaskets, cylinder walll scoring, to test for internal leaks a pressure test should be done with the spark plugs out for a look see at possible head gasket leakage, air coming out of the plug holes, or audible hissing.

[gmtech1]

A hydrocarbon tester can also be used to check for exhaust gasses in the cooling system.

[jamesmetairie]

thanks guys.

[jamesmetairie]

coolant loss mystery solved(maybe).

honest , efficient shady tree mechanic came over .
his pressure test revealed a slight leak by the new small hose connection.
also = a freeze plug in the starter area is leaking bad.
will replace the freeze plug .