Coolant Leak?

["Robert Rooney" <dmcvegas@xxxx>]

A couple of weeks ago in traffic my car overheated because of a 
faulty cooling fan. While the temp didn't go over 240°, this isn't 
the first time my car has been this hot. Although I did blow my 
radiator cap (since replaced). Ever since my car has be "drinking" 
coolant. At least once a week I have to fill the overflow bottle. Now 
I know that I have a slight leak from the hose behind my water pump 
that connects to the Y-pipe. But I'm unable to see any coolant 
puddles on the top of the block any longer, and there's no antifreeze 
on my garage floor. Yesterday I thought I smelled burning coolant 
when I got out. I thought it may be a bad head gasket, but I can't 
see any water in my oil, and my oil level is staying the same. But 
I'm only looking at the dipstick. Plus my coolant stays clean. So as 
you can guess I have a couple of questions:

1. Is it possible that because I'm in cold weather now that when the 
coolant leaks on top of the block it just steams away?

2. If I have a bad headgasket could the same be true only the steam 
would exit thru the crakcase breather?

3. What exactly would I look for when I do an oil change to find 
water in the oil?

Thanks in advance!

-Robert
vin 6585