B737 flight crew reported during climb they got a number two engine overheat indications. All engine parameters were normal and no visual evidence of problems with the #2 engine was observed.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew reported during climb they got a number two engine overheat indications. All engine parameters were normal and no visual evidence of problems with the #2 engine was observed.
Narrative
During my pre-flight; I discovered the #2 Engine fire light did not test; and would not illuminate. We wrote it up; and Maintenance came out to take a look. They discovered a bad loop; so they deferred it; used the good loop; and received a new release. During our en route climb to FL320; approximately at FL250; the fire bell; master warning; and caution light all illuminate; along with overheat. I was flying the aircraft and silenced the bell; while the Captain referenced the non normal procedure for engine overheat. During this time the bell; and lights would intermittently come on and then go out. It did this approximately 10 times. There were no accompanying abnormal engine readings. We ran the non normal; disconnected the auto throttles; and had a discussion about what we wanted to do. Captain then contacted Maintenance Control/Dispatch/Chief Pilot to discuss; while I flew the aircraft and talked to ATC. Eventually the decision was made to return to ZZZ; and then request priority handling due to the overweight landing. Captain kept the flight attendants (FAs) and passengers in the loop with timely information.We opted to land on XXR since it was the longest; per the overweight landing procedure. Captain made a nice uneventful 30 flap; auto brakes 1 landing. Our landing weight was approximately 2900 pounds over max landing weight.
Second reporter narrative
Departed flight ABC ZZZ - ZZZ1 with an MEL for a single engine overheat loop; inop on the #2 Engine. At about 25;000 feet during climbout; the engine overheat for the #2 engine activated; illuminating the fire handle and rigging the fire bell; for a couple seconds. We pulled up the engine overheat procedure in the QRH and began the procedure. However; the alarm only lasted a couple seconds. We closely examined all the engine parameters and everything was normal. I called back to the cabin and asked the flight attendant to look out at the #2 engine; and tell me if anything was unusual. She called back and said everything looked fine. The engine overheat; continued to alarm every few mins for a few seconds; and stop. We felt that this was indicative of a malfunction of the remaining loop. I then had a phone patch with Dispatch; to discuss the problem. During this call with Dispatch; Maintenance Control and the chief pilot. We were in agreement that this was a malfunction of the remaining loop; and continuing with the QRH procedures to an inflight shutdown wasn't an appropriate course of action. Neither; was continuing the flight all the way to ZZZ1 with no functioning overheat loops on the #2 Engine. Returning to ZZZ; while closely monitoring the engine; would be the safest coarse of action. Concluding the call we obtained a clearance back to ZZZ; and headed that way. Once the fuel on board was considered an overweight landing was planned for; procedures were reviewed and priority handling was requested for the overweight landing. The flight attendants were kept in the loop with all briefing information relayed and reviewed. And; the passengers were informed and reassured of the safety of the flight; and what to expect upon landing back in ZZZ.We landed back at ZZZ without incident and taxied to the gate.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.