Overheating! Help ASAP

[KIMS CRUZER]

Thanks Hooligan. I had to call them again about 3:30pm. "We are still diagnosing, may need to get another technician". Suggested the easy fixes. Suggested if head is cracked or gasket issue need to find what caused it or it will happen again. So maybe lets try the simple things first. They will call me tomorrow about noon. I want my PT back. Tomorrow will be 3 days in the shop this time around. He is saying it may be ready friday. . I will keep everyone updated.

[KIMS CRUZER]

Crysler called me this am. They want to put a thermostat and new radiator in the car. $720 They say its not getting enough flow. I told them I will call them back. Of course the parts must be ordered and will not be in until monday. So my question is......if it were the radiator why doesn't the car overheat until I actually drive it for awhile?

[KIMS CRUZER]

The first time I took the car in I also had them do a cooling system service. That included a pressure test system. Would the radiator have been checked at that point?

[KIMS CRUZER]

I was just sitting here thinking The car does not get that warm on the interior when I turn the heat on in the winter. I live in Ohio and it gets pretty cold at times. I had a older car that the heater core went bad, but with that I had a foggy film on my windows.

[bobs turbo pt]

"not getting enough flow" ?? water pump ??

[Hooligan]

If it is being worked on at the same place that did the pressure test, show them the paperwork from that and ask them WHY???

[KIMS CRUZER]

Well, here is were I stand at this time. They want to do the thermostat and radiator: $720. Talked it over they came down to $530. I have no confidence in this shop. I did say why didn't anything show up when you did the cooling system flush and vacuum test? which probably was not done. I called them back friday told then to order parts. As of now I have decided to go pick my car up and try a few simple checks myself, then go to another shop. Can you members please give me some guidance on what to check.
Fan just replaced a week ago. It was running when car was in park.
Still overheated after drove awhile in start stop traffic. would cool down if car was moving.
I also notice the last winter the interior of the car does not get as warm as it did in the past.
I copied the diagrahm Cruzin posted of the fuse box under hood. I will check that.....I have removed the fuse under on the inside drivers side that runs the fogs lamps. My multifunction switch went crazy. Could that fuse effect the overheating? Thanks to everyone for your help!

[PlumCrazyMonkey]

How many miles are on the car?? I will play devils advocate here. Almost all engines today are iron blocks with aluminum heads. This tends to create a problem when they get many miles on them. Your problem sounds very similar to what I had happen last week. Close your eyes and cover your ears...Blown head gasket. This happened not on my PT it only has 20K on it but my Chrysler Lebaron with 170K. It would get hot in stop and go and cool back down on the highway although it was running alittle warmer than usual which is what caught my eye. Check your tail pipe for a white misty smoke and moisture coming out of the tail pipe. That is the give away for a blown head gasket. If you can take the thermostat out do that and put the hoses back on. Remove the radiator cap and start the engine if the coolant in the radiator is bubbling like a pot on the stove it is definetly a head gasket. My engine is currently torn down to the block and waiting a new set of heads. If it is a head gasket that is blown you will need to get the head resurfaced because the aluminum heads tend warp which is what causes the gasket to blow. If you keep driving it and letting it get hot it will eventually crack the head and then you will be replacing the head. I certainly hope that a radiator flush works for you or as mentioned earlier maybe the water pump but that will usually make it run hot and overtemp all the time cause there will be no water flow at all. Good luck and keep us informed and I hope I am wrong....this is not cheap. Now if your car is low mileage car then I should be wrong.
Clay

[KIMS CRUZER]

My PT has 86,000 on it.

[PlumCrazyMonkey]

86,000 is in my opinion should not have a Head Gasket problem. That doesn't mean its not but with that low of mileage I would definetly look at other items first. Just keep it in mind and if you can at least check the exhaust if its clear and no moisture that would ease my fears.
Clay