Engine overheated and shut off, now cranks but no start

JAMES CARPENTER

MEMBER
2000 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
3.8L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
155,000 MILES

I recently had my car overheat it cut off on me going down the road. I coasted it to the house. Car will crank but will not start. I inspected the front of the engine realize I need another water pump. I purge the fuel rail did get fuel to it. I pulled the plugs did get a dry oil on the sparks. They are all new wires and plugs. Catalytic converter has been replaced also.I checked the spark at the coil I'm getting spark. I checked the oil filter it is clogged with black thick oil. My question is, can a clogged oil filter keep from my car turning over? Or What is my solution here? I have put a lot of money into my car 3800 t top. I don't want to sell it I want to fix it. I don't have anymore money to put into it besides the basics and can't afford a tow to a shop it is my only daily running vehicle I have. What could be the possibility of my car cranking but not turning over? I hope my engine is not seized, but I heard if it is doing something it's a good engine. It ran hot and I pulled the hood and I smelled some plastic burning under the hood. Also the car was backfiring before it shut off on me. Any Ideas?

Wednesday, September 4th, 2019 AT 11:34 PM

1 Reply

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

Okay, so the first thing we need to do here is to check on the health of the engine. Given everything that you've told me here, let's start with a compression test. Here is a link for you to go to that describes how to do one:

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

Also, having a plugged oil filter is a sign of not changing the oil or the filter. If you don't change the oil and filter on a regular basis, you will compromise the longevity of your vehicle's engine's lifespan. All of the internal engine bearings require a thin film of oil to lubricate them otherwise you will have bearing failure of the main bearing, connecting rod bearings, and camshaft bearings. Please get back to us with what you find out from the compression test, and here is a link for you to go to on how to do an oil and filter change on your vehicle below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-engine-oil-and-filter

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 12:47 AM