Have I burst my head gasket?

[JohnL]

On a Toyota MR2 mk1 with almost-to-the-moon mileage. Symptoms:

Overheating
Using lots of coolant
Coolant squirting out of the open filler cap when the engine is started
Dirty coolant (recently replaced)

Assuming the answer is yes -

Is there any way of telling if I've completely f**ked the engine, or will I have to take the head off to find out anyway? How likely is it that the engine is damaged?

[JohnL]

deltaf said: Hi John L. If its throwing coolant outa the rad cap or expansion tank when cold, it means a buggered gasket.

Haven't checked it cold, definitely does it when hot.

[JohnL]

kevinday said: Probably, but check out the water pump, it may not be turning properly causing massive overheating and airlocks/blowbacks.

I'll definitely check this out, a lot less work than a heda gasket!