store but before I could get there the upper radiator hose burst on its
> top while I was slowing down at a red-light. It was pretty cold outside
> and the car didn't seem to actually be overheating. I still had plenty
> of coolant left too, slightly above the line, and it wasn't boiling
> over or anything. I waited for the engine to cool, cleaned the burst
> hose, and added a multilayer duct-tape wrap to try and get me the few
> miles to the auto parts store. Half way there I tried to climb a hill
> and it burst again. This time I decide to just call my stepfather to
> come get me and go get a hose. I do that, replace the hose, and
> everything looks ok. The coolant is still at the same level, only
> steamed coolant seems to have come out of the burst hose. The car
> starts fine and I start down the road. At first it seemed fine, I was
> taking it easy. Then when I get to another hill I go to press on the
> gas and realize that I actually have the pedal to the floor. Going up
> the hill I steadily lose power. Also there is a rattle that gets
> increasingly louder. It sounded like a metal or plastic washer shaking
> loose, coming from the driver's side area of the engine. The check
> engine light comes on as well. I barely make it to the top of the hill
> and the car dies as I pull to the shoulder.
Sounds like at least a head gasket. If your cooling system has a leak it will NOT suck the coolent from the overflow tank, it will suck in air through the leak. The engine was seriously overheated, if all that's wrong is a head gasket you are very lucky.