B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180; Flight Crew Total 4573; Flight Crew Type 3073
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
N5 flaps 5 reduced EPR (Engine pressure Ratio) takeoff was normal. Around 5;000 feet; I selected Cont N1 to climb over a slow CRJ so we could accelerate. At 8;000 feet; the Captain pointed out an over temp on number 2 and I looked to see the yellow EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) go to red and hit 926 while still climbing. I pulled the throttle back (lowering the temp to normal) and selected CLB N1 to see if that alleviated the issue. When I released the throttle (auto throttle on); it climbed back up and over temped a second time; at a much lower N1. I disengaged the autothrottles and pulled it back into range and we requested to level off at 17000. Number 1 was at 103% in cont; 97.8% in CLB and 90-150 degrees cooler than number 2; which would overtemp at anything above 92%. We discussed it for a couple minutes and returned to ZZZ for a normal landing; overweight by 8;000 lbs. The auto throttles were re-engaged to help with a normal arrival; while we slowed down and completed all required calls; checklists and setup. Landing was uneventful and soft to alleviate stress on the aircraft.
B737 First Officer reported engine overheat during climbout.