The other day I was driving my 97 Z28 down the road going about 30 mph and I hit a bump in the road followed by a loud bang from under the hood. I stopped and there was coolant leaking all over the place. I was near a Firestone so I pulled in there to have a look. They checked it out and the main hose coming from the top to the radiator had burst about 4 inches from the top. They replaced the hose and told me I should have the vehicle checked out for a possible leaking head gasket. There is no smoke coming out of vehicle, oil is the color is supposed to be, normal running temp in vehicle, no oil in the coolant and its not overheating at all. Car runs great like always. They said that the possible gasket leak might have caused it to burst. I am thinking it is just an old hose because it was kinda of soft. Correct me if I am wrong but wouldnt a leaking head gasket cause the vehicle to over heat. Thanks in advance

 

A head gasket leak would, if anything, prevent hose bursting not cause it.

You did have the other hose replaced, right?

 

Those kind of places are notorious for suggesting unneeded repairs. If you have no other symptoms, don't worry about it. After 12 years, you should be expecting the need for hose maintenance.

Contrary to the previous post, combustion gases leaking into the cooling system can cause excess pressure.

 

Thats what I thought. Car runs great just like it always has and yes I did replace the hose. As always thanks for the help!

 

The system operates under 18 psi pressure, maintained by the radiator cap. Check the radiator cap to verify that it is relieving pressure at 18psi, and not at a higher pressure.