2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Over Heating

HOOK49

MEMBER
2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
101,200 MILES

I have a 2001 PT Cruiser. I have flushed change radiator cap, thermostat. The water pump does not make any noise or leak. I have 101,200 miles the car does cut out a miss when I accelerate.
Can the timing belt need to be replace which may be causing the water pump not to turn quick enough and can that also be causing to car to miss. I also had this problem late last Summer but once the temperature became under 85 degree's it was OK. Now that the Air Temperature is getting 85 degrees it is starting to over heat. Also the engine miss is worst at acceleration.

5 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Is the check engine light on? Thermostat ever been replaced? And ECT(engine coolant temp) sensor can be bad without setting a code. With 101,000 on your engine, checking the timing belt is a good idea. It will only fail to turn the water pump if it breaks.

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Sunday, April 26th, 2009 AT 8:59 AM

HOOK49

MEMBER
2 POSTS

It seems to overheat only when the air temperature gets above 85 degree's. However, this is when you want to run the Air Conditioner. Is there something to look at that when the Air is running would cause it to over heat. When I run the Heater, it does not.

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Monday, April 27th, 2009 AT 8:23 AM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Two most common are 1.) Does the radiator cooling fan come on when engine is hot? And it should start with the A/C turned on reguardless of engine temp.
2.) Stuck thermostat, less comon because it should overheat, or fail to give heat inside when cold outside.

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Monday, April 27th, 2009 AT 3:03 PM

HOOK49

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2 POSTS

Yes the fans run with and without the AC on. They come on and go off as they should. I have replaced the radiator cap, thermostat, Flushed replaced the water pump. I have over heated But if the Head Casket was leaking would I not over heat no matter what the air temp is. No problem this last Fall or Winter.
This morning I drove to work 7 miles it did not get over 1/2 on the gauge Air Temp 72 degree's no AC on. Yesterday drove 7 miles with the AC on Air temp 85 degree's and I over heated.
Going home from work to night 62 degrees air temp I drove 5 miles with the temp gage at 1/2 I turned on the AC and 5 more mile then the gage started to rise to 3/4 and the car started missing more. It also seem to miss more with the AC running than not. Turned off the AC and the temp gage held at 3/4 for 2 miles. At home I sat at idle turned on the Heater and the temp gage dropped to 1/2.

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Monday, April 27th, 2009 AT 4:44 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Have a look at the fins of the radiator and A/C condenser, they could be clogged up with road grime, get a long air wand and blow out the radiator, then turn wand around and do the same to the a/c condenser. Not enough airflow!