Hyundai Repair: 2001 HUNDAI ELANTRA 4 door, water cause, hundai

Question
Around mothers day i had my oil changed then about a week in a half ago i sorta noticed that my gauge went up so me and my dad added water cause it was a lil low then maybe a week went by and now the gauge goes up and down but Today June 10, 2010 car almost died on me so i pulled over gauge was at around the 3/4 area so i parked the car and a lil smoke was coming up so i looked under my hood a heard a hissing noise like maybe a hose  or something nothing leaking on ground fan seems to work, smells like oil burning though i havent drove the car since.....I just bought this car second hand last year and i also have coolant leaking under my glove compartment i assume thats a condenser issue now air still works when i put it on ?????? I'm so scared that the overheating is a piston issue that happened to my dodge i cant deal with this if it will cost a arm and a leg...Sorry for telling you my problems I'll wait for a response thank you very much Debbie Fontenot

Answer
If you have coolant under your dash, I'm going to suspect your heater core is leaking.  Be very careful to not overheat this engine; it's very easy to warp the cylinder head beyond repair.  

If you even suspect the car is overheating, have it checked immediately.  If there isn't a competent shop within a few miles of your house, have the car towed.  This may cost you some money, but it'll be much better than the expense of a new cylinder head.