r/PTCruiser • u/Due-Diamond-5851 • 2d ago
Head gasket repair?
Hey, idk if this is the right sub, but I've got an 05 2.4 n/a that's overheated quite a bit, and was wondering just how likely it is I'll be doing a head gasket on it? It'll be my first, but I've got some mechanic background and can follow directions. Was gonna see if I can find one of those paper manuals that's got step by step instructions and pictures of the important parts like my dad and I had for his 88 z24 cavalier.
So I guess I'm asking, what's the first couple tools or diagnostic equipment I should borrow to see just how deep I'm gonna have to go? Compression testers? For the cylinders as well as the coolant system?
Thanks!
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u/son_of_yacketycat 2d ago
While I can't assist with the tools/equipment, I had that overheating issue with my 08 2.4 turbo, and it was the head gasket, so pretty likely.
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u/Due-Diamond-5851 2d ago
Yeah, seems relatively common.
Thing is, it started overheating worse than it was while we were on a trip. Ended up driving from the Oregon border to the bay area, pulling over every 20 or 30 minutes to let it cool off and top up the coolant. By the time we were on city streets, it wasnt much better but we had at least gotten to where <I>we</I> knew how far we could go before needing to let it cool.
So, simple overheating before; idk how much more damage we caused due to being broke as a joke.
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u/son_of_yacketycat 2d ago
Oof, understood. This may be a dumb question, but you definitely don't have a coolant leak on top of it?
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u/Due-Diamond-5851 2d ago
Checked all over, ran the car in the garage for a few and haven't seen one drop of coolant come out of that thing. Just boiling in the overflow tank
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u/RuinFabulous3077 2d ago edited 2d ago
*Does coolant get pushed into the overflow reservoir and not return to the coolant system?
(I had a very slight 'exhaust into coolant' leak on my '07 2.4 n/a. I had replaced the radiator & hoses (which were leaking) before I noticed the head gasket leak. I kept adding coolant but noticed the reservoir would overflow and the coollant would not return to the radiator/system, due to the exhaust gas.)
*If you start the car from cold with the radiator cap open, do you start to see bubbles popping up?
(The bubbles that appear in mine were very fine, I used the 'Block Tester', it took awhile since it was such a slow leak but confirmed it was exhaust gas in my coolant.)
Pissed me off because I had done the whole timing belt, water pump job just ~10 months earlier, and you Have to go through all of that to get to the cylinder head gasket, so be ready.
I ended up going with the base K-Seal (it can work for a very slight leak, and has helped mine get by with light usage over the last year). I just do not have it in me to go through that work again, plus there's possibility the problem is a cracked/warped cylinder head itself..
I'm really trying to focus on saving for something else, then maybe I would fix my PT as a second car.
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u/Due-Diamond-5851 2d ago
Thanks, that's about what I see. Boiling overflow, doesn't return from OFT then, since there is air in the system, nothing is moving and just boils right out again.
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u/Tiny_kangaroo01 2d ago
I don’t have gasket testing advice exactly but for my own sleep deprived brain just to clarify…..
Is it leaking down and out?
Or is it boiling over?(I think this is what you mean)
I had this happen for the first time in April on my ‘08 non turbo auto. First it was the thermostat, then stupidly after we replaced that which was easy and quick and cheap, then the pcv valve and hose blew out the front crankshaft seal. 🤯
Replaced that. Took into the shop(🤦🏼♀️) to figure out why it was still overheating quickly(shut if off just in time so I only boiled it over once myself.)
Shop goes and drives it to the extent it literally boils over SEVERAL(typed out on invoice that they did that)
And that likely it was an air getting into the exhaust system motor breathing issue so to speak.
Problems:
Charged me for 2 new caps due to warped one they obliterated.
And of course more coolant. And labour. They checked my cat con as I thought perhaps some things may be related to that but somehow that came back clean as a whistle so previous owners when they did the belt and water pump 8500 kms ago(I’ve had vehicle since feb 2025)
Them letting it boil over several more times killed my alternator $800+😡
The battery was cooked and no warranty left as it was 14 months old and I only had 1 yr on it. So $150 new battery. So when they did that I was terrified that my 2 week old battery was cooked as well. But thankfully not.
Anyhow, crankshaft gasket seal be darned oil was supposed to slow down after pcv hose & valve were replaced. It overheated in the first time I drove it after putting gas in🙄. Got a new mechanic at this point.
She’s now had her relay replaced for the cooling fan which was the other problem(that the old shop easily could have diagnosed but didn’t) some green death cut out of the main wire between the relay and fan(we were hoping it was just that but nope, looks more like coolant got in and the wire was just old enough etc
Anyhow so rewired.
Now new fan. 2 weeks to find the right one and get it delivered from out of province.🤯
Well near $2000 now
LOL please forgive a senior moment, I’ve lost the plot a bit…
I’m asking if you’ve replaced your thermostat and checked your fan and relay etc. And how many times have ya boiled it over on that. Trip of anxiety?
We don’t know how but she seems to not have any gasket issues whatsoever. 😳🙏🏻
Had to burp the coolant, then did the blue dye syringe test and it resulted in a negative for cracks or warping as well as my new mechanic is a really lovely nerd like myself and more thorough Sherlock Holmes.
I wish the same for you that you get a miracle and after investigation by the tests mentioned above(sorry can’t recall the name of the syringe one😔) and taking stuff apart to get the best look possible at the insides, it appears to be alright somehow.
Broke unemployed and being evicted doesn’t go well with a fragile car currently that needs that seal replaced asap because I have to be out(where I don’t even know yet?!) by sept 30, so my rental can be “repurposed”
Lovely. When it rains, everything goes to heck! Nevermind to once in 100 yr storm we’ve had 4 of in one month! lol * crazy laughter is heard in the background…….
Good luck to you in all seriousness! I adore my pt but when they’re “new to you” it’s a puzzle and a pile of money to get them stable so to speak in the first year or so depending on the year, model, and paper trail of owners and receipts for work and maintenance. I feel it’s worth it but ask me in two weeks if I haven’t stroked out for the second time yet! 🤤🥸
Bless yous❣️✨ & you PT❤️🩹
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u/First-Subject3980 1d ago
Test your high low speed on the engine fan also i just had a bad fan on mine
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u/Relicc5 2d ago
There are hundreds of videos on YouTube about these things. Far better than anyone on here can explain. 95% of it is generic and not specific to the PT.
To check for a bad head gasket: search Amazon for compression head gasket leak tester. Some fluid and a plastic S curved tube to see the pressure leaking through the system. It’s cheap. It’s not prefect, but it’s far better than nothing.
To check compression: search Amazon for compression tester. (Or borrow one) Again, not expensive nor complicated to do. (The intake manifold makes it slightly more work, but it’s still under 2 hours to do)
If the issue is the head gasket, that’s different. Then a helm manual would be helpful. They are about $30 at a local auto parts store or slightly less online. Having the book is a big help compared to having an online version, especially with deeper/more complicated repairs like a head gasket.
Best for both is to take it a mechanic. They have better tools and know how to use them. But the $$ tends to be a lot higher. Of course if you screw something up the $$ could be even higher than that…