As was foretold, we've added advertisements to the forums! If you have questions, or if you encounter any bugs, please visit this thread: https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/240191/forum-advertisement-faq-and-reports-thread/

'05 PT Cruiser Issues

Dluopa36Dluopa36 Registered User new member
This afternoon as I was leaving for work I hopped into my car, turned it on, and was rewarded with a bit of vibrations coming from the engine. Immediately I shut it off, popped the hood and began checking my fluids. The last car I had would shake when the oil was low, so that's what I checked first. It all seemed kosher, so I got back in and my car wouldn't start. But my battery is fine! I checked under the hood again. My coolant reservoir appears to be bone dry. Would this keep my car from starting? It's not turning over, there's literally no sound. Please, I'm begging...someone have some good news for me!

Posts

  • Al_watAl_wat Registered User regular
    edited April 2016
    DO NOT run your car or attempt to run your car without coolant

    since you apparently already did, your engine might be totally fucked.

    One of my old cars blew a coolant line while it was running. It ended up blowing a head gasket. Could be that this happened to you; could be something worse, could be not as bad. The horrible vibrations are a definite bad sign. Probably a very expensive repair.

    Al_wat on
  • mtsmts Dr. Robot King Registered User regular
    Probably a cracked radiator at the very least but that should not affect starting. The car is probably fine if he didn't overheat

    camo_sig.png
  • NoquarNoquar Registered User regular
    If there is no sound - then likely the starter or battery is shot. I would say starter in this case since you state the battery is fine, which I assume to mean the accessories, radio, and lights work without noticeable dimming.

  • NoquarNoquar Registered User regular
    Ugh - sorry for double. When you are in the car and turn the key to start - do the lights dim as if it's trying to pull current into the starter?

  • mRahmanimRahmani DetroitRegistered User regular
    "Is my engine destroyed" will likely come down to "how long did it run without coolant." When you drove it in, were there any warning lights on the dash? Did you notice if the temp gauge was reading higher than normal? Is there a puddle/wet spot under the car?

  • HeirHeir Ausitn, TXRegistered User regular
    Snarky Answer:

    uvzs86pti8tw.png

    Well there's your problem!

    Ok Serious Answer:

    Sounds exactly like an issue I had with a similar vehicle back in the mid-2000s. It was a cracked head gasket.

    Was there any smoke or plumes of some kind of gas? I ask because in my case, the coolant or something was also leaking and hitting the very hot engine, causing a bunch of white steam/smoke to plume up from under my hood.

    camo_sig2.png
  • mtsmts Dr. Robot King Registered User regular
    oh to add. if it turns out to be a radiator, make sure they replace the hoses as well. we had a crack in out radiator, got fixed, then a hose went since they didn't swap in new ones

    camo_sig.png
  • Dluopa36Dluopa36 Registered User new member
    Thank you all for your responses. As it so fortunately turned out, it was an ignition switch issue. A friend of mine found the problem and fixed it for $40! The shaking... Not so sure. He said it could be the pistons. But he will have to check that out another time.

  • Dluopa36Dluopa36 Registered User new member
    Heir-
    Yeah, I understand now that PT Cruisers are a huge problem. lol Everyone I've ever spoken to has told me the same thing. *sigh*

  • BouwsTBouwsT Wanna come to a super soft birthday party? Registered User regular
    Glad you found the no-start issue, and it wasn't related to a seized engine! Hopefully your coolant loss isn't something more severe, but you'll definitely want to keep a close eye on the level to prevent it from going low again.

    Between you and me, Peggy, I smoked this Juul and it did UNTHINKABLE things to my mind and body...
  • Dluopa36Dluopa36 Registered User new member
    I agree. Thank you all for sharing your wisdom. It hasn't gone unnoticed!

  • mtsmts Dr. Robot King Registered User regular
    If the radiator was bone dry there is a Crack in it or a head gasket issue.

    camo_sig.png
Sign In or Register to comment.