Well, like I said, it runs fine with coolant in the radiator. I have taken great care to make sure I dont drive the car while the temp gauge is "in the red." I keep several 2-liter bottles of water with me at all times, so I can pull over and add water when it gets too hot. No warning lights come on at all, even when the car gets hot... I've really been babying it, so I feel confident (though not 100% certain) that there is no engine damage.
Any idea why the coolant leaks on the ground? Is that an obvious symptom of the failed WP?