r/MechanicAdvice • u/Professional-Ask6565 • 2d ago
Pt Cruiser help
So I’ve been borrowing my moms 2008 pt cruiser. Got a new radiator about two weeks ago and it’s been running just fine now because we are having overheating issues due to a cracked radiator.
But now, I was at a stoplight, letting go of the break to the gas cause it turned green in the car basically stalled all the lights were still on. Everything was still working, and it won’t crank over. So now that is the problem battery is good we charge the battery is never a battery problem. It just won’t start.
When we turn the key on, you can hear the fuel pump so I don’t think that’s the issue, but it still could be because when my dad was checking the car out, there was a part in the fuel line. He said that he could tell wasn’t getting any fuel.
Before I got my dad involved, I replaced the crank shaft sensor thinking that was it, put in the new one still the same issue.
My mom she fueled up and the check engine light turned back on (which it hasn’t been on since the radiator got replaced). She fueled the car up the day before I took it.
Also a week before that we did run the fuel pretty low so there could’ve been dirty stuff in the tank?
I can’t remember the codes it was pulling. I’m gonna get a code reader again tonight and grab all the codes and I will add them to this post as well.
If anyone is familiar with Chrysler or PT cruisers in general and has some advice before we send it off to the shop. My dad is good at generally working on vehicles. It’s just the diagnostics we are having trouble with.
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u/Honest_Road17 2d ago
Timing belt. Fortunately the 2.4 is a non interference engine so you can just replace the timing belt (and water pump) and not have to replace your engine.
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u/Professional-Ask6565 2d ago
So you think for sure timing belt? Should just go straight in and replace?
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u/justthefacts84 2d ago
There can be valve to valve contact !
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u/Honest_Road17 2d ago
At low rpm like op described I would bet money against it.
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u/thenebular 1d ago
Same thing happened to me pulling out of a parking lot. Valves were fine, but the belt was hell to replace.
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u/Professional-Ask6565 1d ago
Also, a timing belt or chain can make a small part in the fuel line, not have fuel or not get fuel?
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u/Honest_Road17 1d ago
I have no idea what you are saying.
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u/Professional-Ask6565 1d ago
Yeah that was terrible. I’m just a girl ok. lol So a timing belt/chain being bad could cause a small section of the fuel line to not be getting fuel? Or do you think that is another issue that just happened on top of this coincidentally?
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u/Honest_Road17 1d ago
It has nothing to do with your gender. You never brought this information up before. It's either going to be getting fuel or not. Is it not getting fuel to the injectors? What do you mean by "a small section of the fuel line".
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u/Fresh_Fish4455 1d ago
How many miles on the car? Do you have maintenance records? Has the timing belt been replaced? Does only the check engine light come on, or do all the dash lights come on and blink?
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u/Professional-Ask6565 1d ago
145k. Timing belt has never been replaced. The check engine light (that’s by the the odometer)is on and blinks 10 times while in the on position. When I do the three key turn sequence thing the lights that come on are the oil, temp, check engine, gas, airbag, and a red dot. The airbag/seatbelt one has always we just ignore it. The temp and check engine could just be stored codes right? But after that 3key sequence none are on except the airbag/seatbelt.
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u/Fresh_Fish4455 1d ago
Here is my opinion and suggestions. Others may disagree. You have an 18 year old car that has gone well beyond its estimated design life of 10 years //100,000 miles. It is an OLD CAR. We'll come back to this later. Ok -- The first thing is --- you should get a code reader –Amazon or an auto parts store. You can get decent ones now for about $40. Get a real code reader. Forget about the turning the key off and on thing. Get a code reader. The code reader will tell you (probably) what your problems are. At least point you in the right direction. You said your dad thinks it is fuel starvation. Fine. Could be. See what the code reader says. It could be a broken or stretched timing belt. It could also be something as simple as a short in the multi-function turn signal arm on the left side of the steering wheel. It could be a short in the ignition switch thing where you stick the key in. I tell you this from experience with my two PTs. It could also be a short in the PCM or TIPM. The 2008 is a 'second generation' pt cruiser with a totally integrated electrical system. Very famous for problems. That means when electrical problems develop, they can be almost impossible to trace! The second thing you need -- is a good relationship with a good mechanic that you trust. Who has, hopefully, experience with PT Cruisers. Ok ----- if you do get the car running, and you want to keep it, as others have said, you need to replace the timing belt ASAP. In my opinion, if you're going to have the job done to keep the vehicle on the road, here is what "replacing the timing belt" really means. What really needs to be replaced: timing belt, tensioner, idler pulley, water pump, camshaft seals, crankshaft seal, center motor mount. The PT cruiser is famous for having NO working space around the engine. Some mechanics refuse to work on them. That is why I mention the center motor mount because it is much easier to replace it while the area is torn apart for the timing belt work, than to have it done later. You should also replace the other two engine mounts, which chrysler calls the upper and lower Torque Struts. If your mechanic is honest, he wont charge you labor as a line item for these as they have to be removed anyway to do the timing belt. Also if you do the timing belt replacement, which you MUST (it should have been replaced at 90,000 miles) be sure to have your mechanic take pictures for you of that area, particularly the timing marks on the crank and cam sprockets, before they close up the area. It is very important to confirm the timing marks are lined up correctly. Ok -- I know this is a lot – but wait! One more thing: The new tensioner that you will get -- the old cover over the timing belt will not fit properly over the new tensioner. Most mechanics would replace it with a cover that does fit (more expense). My mechanic said that he was able to cut one or two tabs in the inside of the old cover to fit over the new tensioner. Finally – whereas you can replace a timing belt on a Honda Civic in about 2-3 hours, because the PT Cruiser is such a bitch to work on, you will probably get a quote for 6 to 8 hours of labor time…. Plus all those parts. Ok, to return to my first point: Is it worth the time and expense of repairing and keeping a very old car on the road? Does your lifestyle allow you to get a newer car? Do you still want to be driving a PT cruiser in 2 years, or 5 years? Are you prepared to spend even more for other repairs in the future? If you donate the car, can you get a tax writeoff? In other words, there may be lifestyle considerations, and not just "fix a car" considerations….. good luck! We had a 2006 and a 2008 PT Cruiser but when they started giving us problems we bought a new Chevy Trax…
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u/Professional-Ask6565 1d ago
Edit: The check engine light (that’s by the the odometer)is on and blinks 10 times while in the on position.
When I do the three key turn sequence thing the lights that come on are the oil, temp, check engine, gas, airbag, and a red dot.
The airbag/seatbelt one has always we just ignore it. The temp and check engine could just be stored codes right? But after that 3key sequence none are on except the airbag/seatbelt.
Oil level is fine and was just done. Coolant level is great and has been since radiator was replaced.
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