2001 pt cruiser has an overheating problem

[Greg Dent]

Friend of our came from Sarnia to stay with us for the convention. I am worried about her car. She had the engine flushed and the fluid was supposedly replaced. She got to our place and the reservoir for the rad was empty. I am worried that 

 

1 the people didn't fill it up properly or 

 

2 the engine may have a head gasket problem and is sending the fluid out the tailpipe. If that is the case this will be an expensive repair. I would rather have it be a leak in the cooling system.

 

Anyone else have a cooling problem with theirs? 

[timpin]

No, but sometimes you'll hear them do this going down the road   ... http://jwtalk.net/forums/topic/16008-do-you-think-when-we-are-becoming-perfect/

[SUNRAY]

Tim..my husband Don says that when filling after draining, run the engine to get out any air pockets, then fill back up..plus the overfill tank must be filled to proper level.

[Greg Dent]

Ya I took it to my mechanic and he showed me a couple problems. Its a wonder she hasn't cracked the head or the block on the thing. I will get it fixed up for her. There is also a problem in the rear suspension. Its banging like a sledge hammer when it hits the smallest hole or bump. I want to make it safe for her. She thinks she will have to pay for it. Nope I will take care of it.

[Greg Dent]

No, but sometimes you'll hear them do this going down the road   ... http://jwtalk.net/forums/topic/16008-do-you-think-when-we-are-becoming-perfect/

Ha ha your funny Tim. LOL

[shali]

Greg, that is so generous of you! Everyone who owns a PT Cruiser needs a friend like you! (wink!)

Edited July 11, 2014 by shali

[Greg Dent]

She needs it for doctors appointments for the kids. She can't work so she has only a modest income. I haven't been able to do a lot. But now I can.

[shali]

Jehovah will repay you for helping the "lowly" (that's a scripture somewhere in Psalmms or Proverbs that I'm too tired and lazy to look up right now and quote).

[Qapla]

Did you get the overheating problem fixed?

 

The PT is basically the sane as a Dodge Neon. There are some models that have the plug on the electric fan that cools the radiator resting against one of the A/C lines (I think it is an A/C line) and it rubs it until, after time, it no longer makes good contact and the fan does not always run.

 

You may have to slightly bend the lines, they are metal lines, to create a gap for the plug so it no longer rubs and try to make sure the plug is in tight.

[Greg Dent]

My Mechanic will give me an estimate today he can't do the work till Monday tho. I don't mind it give us a chance to make her relax with booze LOL.

 

He said that the housing on the top of the engine that the rad hose goes in is leaking. POssible break in it. And there is a tube that runs from the bottom of the engine. It returns the water to the bottom of the rad. It is so rotted that its a wonder it can take pressure from the system. So he thinks that is where the major problem is. 

 

I checked the fan its working fine. I was worried she had a blown head gasket but that doesn't appear to be the problem now.