So before my daughter borrowed the car, I topped off the radiator (it didn't take much) checked the oil, it was fine, noticed it was a little low on power steering fluid (didn't have any on hand to top off) and away she went.

I get a call around 2am, saying the car is broke down.

She explains that she was pulling up to a red light (on a 40mph road), the check engine light came on, and the engine started slowing itself down. And the engine died.

I arrive, the engine has gotten hot. Spark plug boot melted, power steering was completely empty, pulled the codes, only got 1, a p1361. It still has fire, but I didn't try to start it. Just checked fire. Engine has 290k miles on it.

Thoughts?

 

P1361 means the top dead center sensor had an intermittent interruption.

Was the spark plug boot that melted near the power steering pump?

 

Ok, update --- the plug wire was not melted. It was just old and the plastic tube was broken. Power steering was not completely empty as thought.. She did say it smoked alot from under the hood. I do not believe it overheated. But engine did die on her.

 

It started up and idled.. but when I tried to turn the steering wheel, it died and won't restart

 

You may want to remove the power steering belt and check if the PS pump has a lot of resistance when spinning the pulley.

 

Also, I may note.. I had the cap off the radiator.. When I first started it, it shot water out of the radiator, but then sucked the water down and idled perfectly.

 

Ok, removed belt. pulley turns, engine will not restart. Not sure how I got it to start and idle in the first place.. I'm thinking since its shooting water from the radiator when cranking, the head gaskets are toast. No water in oil

 

Compression test thus far

 

I tested ohms on tdc sensor, 2.03 -- I also tested to see if it was producing ac, and it is putting out 2-3 volts -- so Im guessing I had a dirty connection?