i have a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. it does have 100,000 miles on it (as of this week). but she's a good ole' girl :)
the problem we are having now is overheating. it did it last summer too, and we replaced the radiator. after that, when turning off the engine you would often hear a "boiling" (bubbling, churning) sound as the water cooled off. freaky, but no one could tell us why and it never overheated again so i didn't know what else to do.
well today it overheated on me, left me stranded to limp home (turning a 30 minute drive into a 2 hour one, with a 5 year old and a dog in 90 degrees with the windows down and heater blasting). before i tried to go home, i made sure the coolant was full and it had plenty of oil. both were low but nothing dangerous.
the only other thing that i could see was the rubber seal on the radiator cap is damaged, like a good seal would be pretty unlikely.
my husband and his "car friend" are out in the garage waiting for it to cool off so they can look at the bad radiator cap. anyone have an opinion on this? i thought we had checked the cap last summer and it had been fine, all while still doing the same things. BUT it has been a year since it overheated.
i just know i am hot and tired and didn't want to talk to anyone for a few minutes, so i came here lol. seroiusly about to bite someone's head off if i don't chill for a moment after all that.
thanks Tracy - really looking for someone with insight as to what might be wrong, not opinions that i should or shouldn't lose the car. we have our reasons for keeping it. just wondering if there are any mechanics or "armchair mechanics" who might have any ideas.
OMG i am so sorry, i didn't mean that "I" physically llimped home - i limped the car home!!! :( sooo sorry about the mixup on that. i drove a normally 30 minute drive, in about 2 hours, going about 20-30 mph (taking the back roads instead of the highway), heater on and windows down, and stopping about 4-5 times to let it cool down for a few minutes. yikes, SO glad i DIDN'T have to walk (and yes i would have been limping!) no i have a cell so i was getting support from hubby and my mom the whole way...but there wasn't much they could do for me unfortunately, the car HAD to be in town because our insurance won't tow it where i was....so hence the "limping home".
In the past, when I've had overheating problems it was usually the thermostat that needed replaced.
I dont think the cap is the problem, it sounds a little deeper than that.
Is the fan running properly... that would be another thing that would make it over heat.
Take it to a radiator shop. They can pull the radiator and see if there is a clog or something else.
It could also be the water pump. They occasionally go out, they are what circulates the water. If they go out the water does not circulate and cool down, it sits in one spot and starts to boil.
If you get stranded you need to just let the car cool down then drive it a little further. Do not drive it hot, unless you are at risk you need to just stop. The heat can warp the motor and other metal parts and totally ruin your running ability. If that happens you are looking at a whole new motor and perhaps even more in repairs.
I would have most likely just called home and had someone come get me and the kiddo. Then if you have AAA or some other towing insurance have it towed to the nearest mechanic.
does it not have a thermostate on it...and if it does have one is it working...the only time I have ever had an issue with overheating it has been a cheap part called the thermostate that was broken...
Possibly the water pump...
Mine did that when my Dodge Caravan blew a head gasket. Lots of money to fix.
I also had an older car that "gurgled" and kind of "bounced" when I would turn it off. I did what you did, limped where ever I needed to go. Turns out That I needed a new radiator and fan.
Did you or husband check the fan belt to make sure it's blowing in the engine? My guess....gasket. Good luck!
L.
You said you replaced the radiator, did you replace the thermostat? Its usually easy and makes a huge difference. I doubt its the radiator cap because you can run a car without one if you have to, but then it looses the pressure.
Also, I had a 2001 Saab 95 that did the same thing, and it was a coolant bypass valve. This could be it. I would look at forums online, or call a mechanic that specializes in them and ask what else it could be. The thermostat is the easiest and cheapest fix. Like under $10 usually. I feel so sorry for you! I would also invest in AAA so that if it happens again, you can get home safely in the heat.
our van started doing this... the water level wouldn't stay full or even close to it and the oil started leaking.. or disappearing. After a couple people who looked at it said it was my radiator and was burning oil...
we found out they were wrong once our head gasket blew... ours was a dodge caravan.. but was still doing the same thing it sounds like yours is doing.
I agree with the thermostat reccomendation, that was an issue with my fiance's old van - but to be honest it never ran the same afterwards.
I think I read this right and that you walked/limped home with a 5yr old and a dog, wow could not do that. I am going to suggest calling your insurance company to see if they have a roadside assistance program so you do not have to walk (limp) home in the future. With my insurance it is part of the service, should you choose to keep your car (I too have an old car and put my faith in it) I highly reccomend you at least have access to roadside assitance.
Good luck in figuring out the problem, if all else fails take the car to a Chrystler dealership to have them look it over vs a standard mechanic.
After reading this article, I am going to recant my suggestion of repairing the vehicle ... http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_does_pt_cruiser_overheat
I'm sorry this happened!! I know what it's like to drive with an overheated car!!! I was young when it happened - but it wasn't my radiator - it was my thermostat - it was broken.
When you replaced the radiator - it should have come with a new cap.
If you drove it hot - you need to make sure you didn't crack the head. If the head is cracked - you will need a new engine. The head is the "large block" that holds the pistons to get the car moving.....
I personally would have called AAA to have them tow it - we LOVE our AAA membership - they have helped us on NUMEROUS occasions!!! I can replace a flat but when it's raining - i'll let them do it!! :)
My car did this, twice now. Last summer the fan that cools the AC motor went out, so they replaced the fan and the condensor. This past week it was overheating again and it was the fuse that made the fan come on that had gone out. Hope yours is fixed soon!
Frankly, I am not sure that it is worth putting too much money into an 11 year old car. I would start thinking of replacing it if I could. I am just not real forgiving of a car that leaves me on the side of the road....
I can't help with the car issue, but I do want to say that AAA is a great idea!!
I'll bet your feet hurt - give 'em a good soak in cold water!
Dawn
It's the cap.
The coolant system is enclosed completely. Water/coolant simply circulates, but never leaves the system (unless something is wrong).
Think of the NASCAR cars that spew steam when they overheat. That's a lot of pressure.
Same thing with your car. Notice the radiator cap says "Warning, under pressure". If the seal is even a little bit cracked under that cap - you've been steaming away all your coolant under the hood where you didn't see.
Even if it's not the cap - a new cap will cost about $10.
If it still overheats OR loses coolant - you've got a leak somewhere.
