Overheating / Starting Issue

[X-plorenow]

Hi All,

I had an issue today on the highway. Overheated and had to pull over. Let the car cool and filled with fluids. Now the vehicle won't start. It seems to the starter is turning over but the engine doesn't seem to try and turn over. I did a little research and found some similar issues that seemed to be crank sensor.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[David Harris]

Hi All,

I had an issue today on the highway. Overheated and had to pull over. Let the car cool and filled with fluids. Now the vehicle won't start. It seems to the starter is turning over but the engine doesn't seem to try and turn over. I did a little research and found some similar issues that seemed to be crank sensor.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Mike

First thing. Check the vitals, fuel pressure, spark and compression. Anything leaking . . . ?

 

[Antichrist]

If the starter is turning but the engine isn't, then probably the starter bendix is gunked up and not engaging the flywheel.

 

[X-plorenow]

you mean more than normal ? I have been dumping a large amount of coolant at stops. But I have been topping it off every day. I have been leaking power steering fluid and some oil. But I filled this morning.

 

[David Harris]

you mean more than normal ? I have been dumping a large amount of coolant at stops. But I have been topping it off every day. I have been leaking power steering fluid and some oil. But I filled this morning.

Dumping a large amount of coolant daily . . . check everything external, radiator, hoses, etc. Compression check . . . You might have blown a head gasket. Any oil in the coolant . . . ?

 

[X-plorenow]

doesn't seem to be, seems to run just green. I have it at some random garage as I am in the middle of Iowa where it happened. I am just looking for some thoughts and education to help me deal with them tomorrow.

 

[X-plorenow]

I do have some oil pooling at the front of the engine block in a little metal cubby between the block and radiator.

How bad is a blown head gasket if that is the case?

 

[David Harris]

doesn't seem to be, seems to run just green. I have it at some random garage as I am in the middle of Iowa where it happened. I am just looking for some thoughts and education to help me deal with them tomorrow.

Where in Iowa?

David

 

[X-plorenow]

West Branch, some little town. Just off 80w about 5 miles past the big Iowa 80 truck stop.

 

[David Harris]

West Branch, some little town. Just off 80w about 5 miles past the big Iowa 80 truck stop.

What town are you in?


David

 

[X-plorenow]

West Branch is the name of the town.

 

[David Harris]

So, just to be clear. When you try to start it, the starter spins, but it's not cranking the engine?

 

[X-plorenow]

yes, there is a whine under the hood but nothing catches.

 

[David Harris]

yes, there is a whine under the hood but nothing catches.

Then I would go with what Antichrist said above. Try tapping on the starter with a wrench or something. If that doesn't work, you may have to pull the starter.

 

[X-plorenow]

engine has no compression. They think it might be the head gasket and possibly more. Engine has 133,000 miles on it. Do I fix it, or just dump it / engine swap. Thoughts?