[ngoma]

Let's try not to guilt trip ourselves. It's not healthy.

You have been trying to improve and repair your car for some time, to the best of your ability. Most people lack the motivation or interest to do that.

Your recent experience shows the importance of probably the number one advice we give: Maintain and monitor the coolant hoses and monitor the engine temperatures.

Is your engine damaged beyond repair? Depends on several factors:

1. How much coolant was lost?

2. How hard/how long was it run with the coolant below waterpump level?

3. What were the localized temperatures?

You probably can only answer #1. How big was the leak? Oftentimes a pinhole leak can produce visible steam, but takes a while to leak to a dangerous level.

The greenbook gives specs and instructions for measuring cylinder head warpage.

Fix the hose(s) (AND the temperature gauge!), fill with fresh coolant, test the engine. Watch for leaks (oil and/or coolant) at the head gasket, especially in the middle, under the vacuum pump.

You might be able to get away with a cylinder head gasket R/R.

Running excessive overtemps for longer times can cause additional problems, like piston rings losing tension, piston damage, bearing damage, etc.