Overheated while driving engine shut off, will not start

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

First, how far was it driven when it overheated? Was the radiator empty, too?

When you try to start it, does the engine sound normal or does it sound like it is turning faster than normal or have an uneven cranking?

Here is a link that discusses why an engine may not start. Take a look through it and see if anything helps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Let me know.

Joe

Hey Joe, I drove it like ten miles before it overheated put antifreeze in the reservoir. From like one more mile car seamed to be cooling down then got really hot again. So I got on the next exit then it shut off when I was waiting to turn. I went and got it towed today and we got it started for a minute but when he took it off charger it shut off. Yes, it seamed as if both the reservoir and radiator was dry. I do know that there is a problem with the engine coolant sensor. Thanks for you help and I look forward to hearing from you.

Okay. If it died when the charger was removed, you may have a dead battery. Recharge the battery and check it. Here is a link that shows how to do a battery load test:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

As far as the coolant, refill the radiator. With the cap off, start the engine and as it warms up, maintain the coolant level in the radiator. Make sure to have the heater on high while doing this.

Once it stays full, the heater is producing heat, and it is at operating temp, install the cap and fill the overflow to the max line.

Next, check for leaks at this point. If you see none, drive a very short distance and check for leaks again. If you find none and the level does not go down, it may be okay. However, if it got hot enough, there could be a head gasket related issue.

Try this and let me know the results.

Joe

Okay, I will try that tomorrow. It is sitting in my driveway but let me tell you from the start so you can better understand. When I bought it sometimes it had little trouble starting and other times it started right up. My step dad put it on his computer and it read something is wrong with the engine coolant sensor. I did not think anything of it really drove it down the highway for about ten miles it overheated so I turned it off. Waited for it to cool a little then got it to the gas station put antifreeze in the reservoir. I drove it drown the highway for about two more miles then it overheated again. I pulled off the highway to turn on a side street it stalled as I was waiting to turn. So I put antifreeze in the radiator it was about bone dry, go figure. Then I tried to start it so much I ran the battery dead. So I got it towed. When the tow truck driver took me to go tow it, we put it on his jumper it started up. After that sounded kind of rough then it shut off when he took it off.

There are coolant temperature sensors which send a signal to the computer letting it know the coolant temperature . With that information, the computer adjusts the air and fuel mixture to the engine. If it sends the wrong temperature information, that can make it not only hard to start but not start at all.



Since it started with being jumped, I have a feeling there is a problem with the battery now. However, since it was running rough, there could have been engine damage resulting from overheating.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

Okay Joe, I am going to mess with it tomorrow and see what I can find out.

Let me know.

Joe

Ok got it jumped today it started up gave me a little hassle but Iun plugged the cables and it ran pretty good for ten min or so give or take the started smoking a little bit and died now it won't start again I believe the battery is too dead again so I'm going to look into getting a new battery I guess what do u think

What started smoking? Also, I would first try to charge the battery. Once charged, take it to a parts store and have them load test it. The alternator should have kept it running. So, at this point, I am wondering if there is a problem there.

Just to confirm, the accessory belt that runs the alternator, power steering is tight and still in good condition, correct?

Yes that is running fine. I will get it started again and let you know I only have one battery atm. So I will have to get a new one soon. But here is a picture of the paper I got from AutoZone. When we drove it there from the car lot let me know what you think about that.

The codes can all be the result of overheating. Lets hope everything works properly once again when you start using it.

All right. I am going to get battery charged today at least then go check about an engine coolant sensor.

The temperature sensor also tells the computer when to turn on the cooling fans. I would suspect that was part of the reason for it overheating. What color and where was the smoke coming from? White smoke from the tailpipe is not good as that is commonly coolant being burned in the engine. I would not bother installing any parts until you can get it started and figure out where the coolant is going. From your description it sounds like you could have a failed head gasket or cracked/warped cylinder head.

Right, well it starts runs for a bit then stalls. Not sure exactly what, started smoking. Once I get some money I am going to take it to a shop I guess, but trying to get it running so I can make it to a job.

It could be a fuel pressure issue, loss of spark, fuel mixture issue. Try clearing the codes and see if they come back.

Let me know.

Joe

Today I rolled it down the hill popped it in second gear and it started up made it down the road. Stalled got a jump made it home. Pulled it in the garage and it stalled again. So it runs fine, just the thing is keeping it running.

Is the check engine light staying on when it runs? Does the engine sound normal when running?

Check engine light stays on sounds a little rough trying to get it started but once it is running it sounds normal. I am going to take it to a shop Monday.

If the light is staying on, the computer needs scanned to identify diagnostic trouble codes. By doing that, you can determine why it is hard to start, running rough at first.

Here is a quick video showing how it is done:
https://youtu.be/YV3TRZwer8k

I realize most people do not have a scanner, but often times a parts store will lend or rent one to you.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

I believe it is an engine coolant sensor needs replaced.

Honestly, a coolant temperature sensor can cause a hard start. The sensor sends a signal to the computer indicating the temperature of the coolant. Based on that information, the computer determines what the air and fuel mixture needs to be. If it is wrong, it will cause starting issues.

why hasn't anyone tell Mr. Adams to check his oil to see if there is any water in the oil

Hi and thanks for the advice. Check to see if the oil is contaminated with coolant to determine if there is a head gasket issue. I didn't mention this because the engine runs and then shuts off. Usually not the symptoms of a bad head gasket. Plus no mention of excessive white smoke from exhaust and

Regardless, here is a link that shows how to check for a bad head gasket.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Thank you I'll take a look at it tomorrow let u know what I find out

I'll check the oil also didn't even think of that

Sounds like a plan. Let me know what you find.

Joe

if I put antifreeze in the radiator when it was very hot what are the checks that I cracked the head gasket?

Hi again:
A crack in the head or block will can cause many different symptoms. You can follow the link I attached. Or, you can check engine compression to see if one is low.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-low-compression

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

If there is a leak, compression will most likely be low in one or more of the cylinders. Other than those checks, the engine will need taken apart and inspected using a product such as magnaflux.

Joe

I did check the oil it seamed a little watered down problem is I don't know what the heck I'm doing and don't have the money to put into it but I'm going to figure it out. I really need to take it to a shop. I feel like I hot a little ripped off. I had just bought it from a used car lot and they told us there was nothing wrong with title it came back with a rebuilt salvage title. also, when you beep the horn is sounds messed up. I'll take a video one day to shoe you what I'm talking about. thanks for your time and help. I'll let you know as soon as I do.

Hi Grant,
Let me know if I can help in any other way. I wish it was a cut and dry answer I could provide, but there are too many variables for that. As far as the oil, if there was coolant mixing with it, the oil would have a creamy tan substance in it.