Overheated engine

[embflieger]

I'm trying to figure out how badly damaged my engine might be. Yesterday evening I started driving home from the airport, and my console display went out. This happens sometimes (187,000+ miles and a suite of gremlins), and a well-placed smack to the dash is the usual remedy. The problem is that yesterday I was too busy with traffic to deliver the remedial punch. When I did, the coolant temperature was showing 270 degrees, and the oil temp had started climbing. The serpentine belt was gone.
Immediately pulling off I-77, I got to the top of the exit ramp and stalled. A pair of Samaritans helped me push the Corvette into a parking lot. I opened the hood, saw the belt, and replaced it. The engine started, and all seemed right. Two miles later the water temp was rapidly rising again, and I saw the "Low Coolant" light. I stopped the car and topped off the coolant. It was full dark by this time, and I think I over-filled it. Two miles later the car was back in my driveway, but leaking coolant.
Not being sure how long the engine was hot, how can I tell what if any damage was done? It would seem that at least (and if I'm very lucky) the water pump's failed. After I replaced the serpentine belt the oil temp never read high, but the coolant temperature always climbed.

 

[embflieger]

I should add that even now, the console displays the "Low Coolant" caution, in spite of the fact that the reservoir is over full.

 

[douglas foster]

father & son

With the coolant level full in the over flow cotainer, warm up engine, pull off over flow cap, rev up engine, look for bubbles in coolant. If bubbles you have problems, you are pushing exhaust gases into your cooling system, blowen head gaskets? Also look for oil deposits in coolant, another indicator of other engine problems.Good luck