Engine cranks but will not start after overheating

CHRISTHOMPSON48

MEMBER
2005 CHRYSLER 300
5.7L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
188,000 MILES

My car was overheating so I pulled over. It's boiling over in the overflow tank so I wait a while (with the car off) and check the fluid level in the radiator it was low darn near empty. I look under my car and there is a big puddle under there it was antifreeze called up the tow truck driver he came out and cranked it and cranked it for 30 seconds each time (with no coolant in the tank). I finally told him he's going to mess up my engine then it made a horrible noise and shook like crazy then just wouldn't turn over. So I had him tow it and I replaced all (16) the spark plugs and the gap size on each plug were different and 2 out if them were smashed to a.000 gap with what looks like burnt oil on them. No smoke out the cars exhaust, no milky oil, but it was low and looked like it really needed to be changed. After changing the plugs it cranked just fine but won't start.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Unfortunately, the only thing that is going to smash the spark plugs is the piston so that means most likely the engine is locked up. The loud noise and running rough was the pistons hitting the plugs and most likely the valves as well.

First thing to try is to see if it is free. Take a wrench or socket with ratchet and put them on the crank pulley bolt and turn the engine over by hand. If the engine does not turn over then it is going to need to be replaced.

If the engine does turn over then we need to remove the heads and find out the extent of the damage.

Let us know what you find and we can go from there. Thanks