Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Another Contour dies...maybe

I have a friend with a 98 Contour LX with the 2.0 Zetec and automatic transmision. He was driving his car home and hit a log on the freeway. He wasnt smart enough to stop and check his car so he drove the poor thing for another 15 or 20 miles at least until it died on him and wouldn't start. I had to pick him up at 3:30 in the morning. ( boy was I thrilled) We had it towed. I first noticed the power steering cooler lines broken and the resevoir empty. He said he noticed the steering was hard shortly before it died. I also noticed the water resevoir completely dry, NOT GOOD! It will crank but only slowly, like there is lots of resistence. I assume he overheated it until it died. He said it made a bad clattering/pinging sort of noise before it quit so I assume thats the case although he claims he would have noticed his temp gauge going into the red. Does anybody know if overheated Zetecs are usually repairable or do they tend to have cracked blocks/warped valves? If all it has is a blown head gasket I assume that would mean its not damaged beyond repair. Any insights on this sad situation? The engine oil was about a half quart or less below the add line, but I don't think it woudl have killed the engine like that unless it was driven hard for many miles. Thanks for any replies.

Temperature guage does not work without coolant. Quickest way I know of to check is to pull the valve cover and look for thickened oil (like black jelly). If you have this the oil has been severely overheated and the engine is probably junk (bearings toasted).

Warped heads are common with moderate overheating and cracked cylinder sleeves can happen with severe overheating.

If the only thing be broke was the power steering line, then he may have just seized the power steering pump,
and it is putting excessive drag on the serpentine belt.
Try removing the serpentine belt and try starting the egnine.
If it starts, shut it down and then try turning the power steering pulley.

I thought about the p/s pump, but last time we serviced the car the water resevoir was full. I think he cut a radiator hose somewhere. I haven't messed with it in daylight yet, but I will see if I can find where one was severed. He may have other leaks as well, but we will have to take it to a mechanic. I really wish it was p/s pump, but I doubt it. We will try putting some fluid in and maybe it will be enough but even if it was cranking a little slow after a while the engine should still catch. Thanks for replies.