Low Temp

[sleter]

Hi all. At first I would like to thank you for the priceless info I got from this forum. My PT is a 2001 Limited 2.0L 140 Ps.
My story begins when the car had a little bit overheating issues (only when was heavily loaded and on high hills) plus there was no heat in the cabin. I changed the thermostat and everything was OK...just for a day. The next day there was no heat in the cabin and temp gauge read low temp. As the weather got colder and colder the readings were lower and lower. I changed again the thermostat as I suspected it was a faulty one but with no luck. I changed the temp sensor, flushed the system plus heater core. The readings didn't change. It's not the gauge either because it was reading the center before all the issues appeared, high on high hills when loaded and low when the weather got colder.
Also, the fan is not on all the time, so I suppose it's OK.
Is there really something else that I could check? Because I'm out of ideas...

[LionPT]

Are you losing any fluid, your overflow tank is 1/2 full..??

[sleter]

No, not at all. Overflow tank is on maximum mark and doesn't move. So no loss from there. But this would have a result of overheating I think and not low temp. I tried also to connect with an ELM327 to see the water's exact temperature but I couldn't connect the ECU. I ordered another receiver and a heat gun.

[rckstein]

Welcome to the forum

[NitroPT]

Welcome to the forum


Look around the forum there is *lots of information about heating issues. Also I just posted on another *thread why your gauge may be reading the way it is!

[sleter]

I'm pretty sure I read almost everything not only from hear but from the internet. Didn't see a case like mine. And that's the only reason I started a new thread. To get more ideas

[ptcruisersteve]

Originally Posted by sleter

Hi all. At first I would like to thank you for the priceless info I got from this forum. My PT is a 2001 Limited 2.0L 140 Ps.
My story begins when the car had a little bit overheating issues (only when was heavily loaded and on high hills) plus there was no heat in the cabin. I changed the thermostat and everything was OK...just for a day. The next day there was no heat in the cabin and temp gauge read low temp. As the weather got colder and colder the readings were lower and lower. I changed again the thermostat as I suspected it was a faulty one but with no luck. I changed the temp sensor, flushed the system plus heater core. The readings didn't change. It's not the gauge either because it was reading the center before all the issues appeared, high on high hills when loaded and low when the weather got colder.
Also, the fan is not on all the time, so I suppose it's OK.
Is there really something else that I could check? Because I'm out of ideas...

We need more information.

Every time you drive it are you loosing coolant?
Every time you drive it and then you let the engine cool off if you take the radiator cap off is the coolant all the way up to the top?
Have you done a coolant pressure test to make sure your coolant system is sealed?
What brand and temperature thermostat did you put it?

[NitroPT]

Originally Posted by sleter

I'm pretty sure I read almost everything not only from hear but from the internet. Didn't see a case like mine. And that's the only reason I started a new thread. To get more ideas

ALL vehicles that use a fluid cooling system are the same when it comes to temperature control and problem that may come up. Your cooling system problems with your PT Cruiser are not uncommon and YES there is hundreds of suggestions and how to resolve any cooling system issues on this forum if one simply takes a little effort to look for them.

But please do continue with the Q&A process that ptcruisersteve is starting with you.

[sleter]

Originally Posted by ptcruisersteve

We need more information.

Every time you drive it are you loosing coolant?
No!
Every time you drive it and then you let the engine cool off if you take the radiator cap off is the coolant all the way up to the top?
Always on top.I don't lose coolant at all.
Have you done a coolant pressure test to make sure your coolant system is sealed?
No but since there is no loss...
What brand and temperature thermostat did you put it?
I really don't remember but I changed two times with different brands but both where 196F. I also checked the one I got out the second time I changed it with boiling water and it opened seconds before it started boiling and closed as soon as I removed the water from the heating source. (I don't have a thermometer.)

Thanks for responding.

Nitro.. I'm going to keep looking for an answer. I have the energy and I like research. But I am stack with this for two months now and I really can't find a similar case as mine.But I'm gonna read more...!

[sleter]

Hi guys. So I checked the thermostat and it is ok. The gasket looks just fine too, but for some reason water passes past the thermostat. Temperature reaches max 160F and the upper hose is warm enough.Is there a known issue that makes that happen? Housing for example?