b`rad

Hello, I am new here and taking over repairs for my girlfriends car. Last week her car overheated due to a broken hose leaking coolant. While on the freeway, she drove it until it stalled after the temp gauge peaked. Now it cranks, but will not start. I have replaced the broken hose, and added coolant/water. I've checked her timing belt to make sure it's still there, which it is. But when trying to remove the valve cover, I noticed all 4 spark plug wires have melted and I can't remove the spark plugs. I pulled the wires off from the boot, and the clip remains fused to the plugs (I have already bought new plugs and wires). Tomorrow I will use some needle-nose vice grips and try to pull off the rest of the wires, and remove the plugs. But I'm worried that if the engine got hot enough to melt the wires, perhaps there is some further damage. I'm hoping she didn't ruin the head. Has anyone had experience with this kind of overheating?

Thanks in advance.

Triscuitmg

sounds like the motor is toast, if she drove it with no coolant she probably fried the pistions and ceased up the motor. Plug wires seemed melted due to the block over heating. In my opinion sounds like you will need a new motor, or a complete bottom end overhaul. sorry.

b`rad

Wooo! I just replaced the spark plugs and wires and got it started! I guess that means it's not toast! I'm going to run a compression and leak down test to make sure but this is such a relief.. or am i getting happy too soon? If the engine was toast or the head warped, could it still run smooth?

Triscuitmg

It could run smooth, but if head is warped car would blow a colored smoke from exhaust. especially if antifreeze or oil is getting in cylinders. Leak down / compression test would be best bet to make sure everything is ok. Can be that you got very lucky when it over heated. is why i love my 2 hondas.