B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 18800
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Diverted; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
We were about 130 NM north of ZZZ at FL370; when the right engine overheat light illuminated. Proceeded with Memory Items and QRH. The light went out when the thrust lever was brought almost back to idle. The right engine was never shut down. After this; we started our decent towards ZZZ. Flight attendants were briefed and passengers were informed about our situation and divert to ZZZ. CFR was requested upon arrival as well. We had an uneventful landing on 18L. Upon exiting the runway we stopped and shut down the right engine. CFR inspected the aircraft; and we were told there were no leaks or other abnormalities. We continued to the gate; where all passengers were deplaned.
Maintenance discovered the overheat/fire detection element touching a duct in the engine bay which apparently caused the false overheat indication. From an aircrew standpoint; there was no means to prevent this event. A learning point to pass along however; would be that the crew must always assume the worst case and take the most conservative course of action to ensure the safety of the aircraft and passengers.
B737-800 flight crew experienced a right engine overheat light at FL370. When the thrust lever was reduced to almost idle the light goes out. The crew elected to divert to the nearest suitable airport and the engine was allowed to continue to run.