Overheated while driving engine shut off, will not start

Tiny
GRANT ADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 KIA RIO
  • 0.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 165,000 MILES
Car overheated turned it off, noticed that it was pretty much bone dry on coolant so I went to nearest gas station bought antifreeze and put it in the reservoir. I drove down the highway and it overheated again. I pulled over it shut down on me put antifreeze in the radiator this time and now it is not starting.
Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 8:41 PM

30 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

First, how far was it driven when it overheated? Was the radiator empty, too?

When you try to start it, does the engine sound normal or does it sound like it is turning faster than normal or have an uneven cranking?

Here is a link that discusses why an engine may not start. Take a look through it and see if anything helps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, November 30th, 2018 AT 9:25 PM
Tiny
GRANT ADAMS
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Hey Joe, I drove it like ten miles before it overheated put antifreeze in the reservoir. From like one more mile car seamed to be cooling down then got really hot again. So I got on the next exit then it shut off when I was waiting to turn. I went and got it towed today and we got it started for a minute but when he took it off charger it shut off. Yes, it seamed as if both the reservoir and radiator was dry. I do know that there is a problem with the engine coolant sensor. Thanks for you help and I look forward to hearing from you.
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Saturday, December 1st, 2018 AT 4:45 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Okay. If it died when the charger was removed, you may have a dead battery. Recharge the battery and check it. Here is a link that shows how to do a battery load test:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

As far as the coolant, refill the radiator. With the cap off, start the engine and as it warms up, maintain the coolant level in the radiator. Make sure to have the heater on high while doing this.

Once it stays full, the heater is producing heat, and it is at operating temp, install the cap and fill the overflow to the max line.

Next, check for leaks at this point. If you see none, drive a very short distance and check for leaks again. If you find none and the level does not go down, it may be okay. However, if it got hot enough, there could be a head gasket related issue.

Try this and let me know the results.

Joe
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Saturday, December 1st, 2018 AT 6:11 PM
Tiny
GRANT ADAMS
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Okay, I will try that tomorrow. It is sitting in my driveway but let me tell you from the start so you can better understand. When I bought it sometimes it had little trouble starting and other times it started right up. My step dad put it on his computer and it read something is wrong with the engine coolant sensor. I did not think anything of it really drove it down the highway for about ten miles it overheated so I turned it off. Waited for it to cool a little then got it to the gas station put antifreeze in the reservoir. I drove it drown the highway for about two more miles then it overheated again. I pulled off the highway to turn on a side street it stalled as I was waiting to turn. So I put antifreeze in the radiator it was about bone dry, go figure. Then I tried to start it so much I ran the battery dead. So I got it towed. When the tow truck driver took me to go tow it, we put it on his jumper it started up. After that sounded kind of rough then it shut off when he took it off.
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Sunday, December 2nd, 2018 AT 12:06 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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There are coolant temperature sensors which send a signal to the computer letting it know the coolant temperature. With that information, the computer adjusts the air and fuel mixture to the engine. If it sends the wrong temperature information, that can make it not only hard to start but not start at all.

Since it started with being jumped, I have a feeling there is a problem with the battery now. However, since it was running rough, there could have been engine damage resulting from overheating.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Sunday, December 2nd, 2018 AT 5:14 PM
Tiny
GRANT ADAMS
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Okay Joe, I am going to mess with it tomorrow and see what I can find out.
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Sunday, December 2nd, 2018 AT 5:39 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, December 2nd, 2018 AT 5:52 PM
Tiny
GRANT ADAMS
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Ok got it jumped today it started up gave me a little hassle but Iun plugged the cables and it ran pretty good for ten min or so give or take the started smoking a little bit and died now it won't start again I believe the battery is too dead again so I'm going to look into getting a new battery I guess what do u think
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Monday, December 3rd, 2018 AT 5:24 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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What started smoking? Also, I would first try to charge the battery. Once charged, take it to a parts store and have them load test it. The alternator should have kept it running. So, at this point, I am wondering if there is a problem there.

Just to confirm, the accessory belt that runs the alternator, power steering is tight and still in good condition, correct?
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Monday, December 3rd, 2018 AT 5:43 PM
Tiny
GRANT ADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Yes that is running fine. I will get it started again and let you know I only have one battery atm. So I will have to get a new one soon. But here is a picture of the paper I got from AutoZone. When we drove it there from the car lot let me know what you think about that.
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Monday, December 3rd, 2018 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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The codes can all be the result of overheating. Lets hope everything works properly once again when you start using it.
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Monday, December 3rd, 2018 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
GRANT ADAMS
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  • 13 POSTS
All right. I am going to get battery charged today at least then go check about an engine coolant sensor.
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:33 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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The temperature sensor also tells the computer when to turn on the cooling fans. I would suspect that was part of the reason for it overheating. What color and where was the smoke coming from? White smoke from the tailpipe is not good as that is commonly coolant being burned in the engine. I would not bother installing any parts until you can get it started and figure out where the coolant is going. From your description it sounds like you could have a failed head gasket or cracked/warped cylinder head.
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 8:40 AM
Tiny
GRANT ADAMS
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Right, well it starts runs for a bit then stalls. Not sure exactly what, started smoking. Once I get some money I am going to take it to a shop I guess, but trying to get it running so I can make it to a job.
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 8:50 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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It could be a fuel pressure issue, loss of spark, fuel mixture issue. Try clearing the codes and see if they come back.

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:17 PM
Tiny
GRANT ADAMS
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  • 13 POSTS
Today I rolled it down the hill popped it in second gear and it started up made it down the road. Stalled got a jump made it home. Pulled it in the garage and it stalled again. So it runs fine, just the thing is keeping it running.
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Wednesday, December 5th, 2018 AT 10:12 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Is the check engine light staying on when it runs? Does the engine sound normal when running?
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Thursday, December 6th, 2018 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
GRANT ADAMS
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Check engine light stays on sounds a little rough trying to get it started but once it is running it sounds normal. I am going to take it to a shop Monday.
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Thursday, December 6th, 2018 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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If the light is staying on, the computer needs scanned to identify diagnostic trouble codes. By doing that, you can determine why it is hard to start, running rough at first.

Here is a quick video showing how it is done:
https://youtu.be/YV3TRZwer8k

I realize most people do not have a scanner, but often times a parts store will lend or rent one to you.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Thursday, December 6th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM
Tiny
GRANT ADAMS
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I believe it is an engine coolant sensor needs replaced.
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Thursday, December 6th, 2018 AT 4:02 PM

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