Automotive Forums

Hi Folks,
Maybe soemone knowledgeable can offer advice.
My 98 Sunfire overheated on the highway in -10 weather. Coolant all over ground and steam coming from under the hood. I let the car sit for 15 minutes and added some coolant. Car started and I drove another 8 miles. When the temp guage went up again I pulled off the road. As I was turning the key to shut down the engine dided on it's own. There was an acrid smell like burning rubber or something. I did the same thing as the first time and the car would not restart and towed it home. We have replaced the thermostat and refilled but car will not start. It has power but just will not kick over. I thought maybe the engine or water pump may have seized and the timing belt broke but the engine turns and we are getting spark. My friend says that the distributor gets spark from the camshaft and if the belt was broken we would not have spark. The timing belt on the car is only 1 year old so he thinks that is not the problem. I on the other hand think it is but I am a car repair idiot.  Does the computer need to be reset before it will start again? Anyone offer suggestions???

Thanks for any and all help.

Max Bryant
Thanks very much!

Max Bryant
Joliet  

Hey Max,

I would recommend Performing a cylinder leak-down test on the engine which will show if you have a blown head-gasket and/or cracked cylinder head.

Also I would recommend checking all the Radiator hoses, it is possible you melted a hose to the block thus causing a leak in the line.

You also may have overheated because of a Heat sensor failure, causing the fan not to turn on.

Also I recommend Checking your oil dipstick, make sure the oil isn't a Coffee color. By Coffee I mean, Coffee with milk in it already. That color.  

A compression test would be a very good idea. You will probably find a blown head gasket or low compression of some sort.

If you were on the highway at the time of the overheating, then the temp sensor would not be your primary concern, because the cooling fans do not usually operate at crusing speeds.

The thermostat will most likly solve the overheating concern.

good luck  

No, the computer will not have to be reset. If you have fuel spark and compression, the motor should at least sputter or run, but there are many other factors when it comes to fuel injection.

Good luck