Loss of Power - White Steam/Smoke from tail Pipe

[jaa70]

Help, What do you think has happened, Could it be a blown head gasket?
Bought my son a PT cruiser, he just turned 16. It is a 2002 with 5 speed. Base model. Had a small water leak at water pump. Son begged me to pick him up from school, so like an idiot I drove it, only after checking fluid. PT Ran fine until we were on our way back, every time I engaged clutch car would die, then starteed getting pinging noise from engine area, then complete loss of power and white steam/smoke came from exhaust. There we sat on side of rode, dad kickin himself for driving it. Vehicle did not register being hot. It will try start but will not. Any advice or help.

[quicksilverdon]

Welcome.
Head gasket would be first guess....
How many miles?
Might consider having timing belt & water pump done while they are in there....

[jaa70]

Thats kinda what I was thinking, just wanted confirm my thoughts. Guess that is going to cost me.... The good things is I only have $1200.00 in the car. And it is is great shape Interior and Exterior. Oh what is up with the Power window switch, it operates the rear but not the front, I have read some issues with switch..

[jaa70]

130,000 miles.....

[quicksilverdon]

Originally Posted by jaa70

130,000 miles.....

Unless you know the timing belt was done, do it.
Head gasket must've gone quickly if no overheating, and enough to snuff engine...

As to window switch - try here:
parting out a 2005 pt cruiser 17k miles

'05 is same as '01.

[Windancer]

Originally Posted by jaa70

Help, What do you think has happened, Could it be a blown head gasket?
Bought my son a PT cruiser, he just turned 16. It is a 2002 with 5 speed. Base model. Had a small water leak at water pump. Son begged me to pick him up from school, so like an idiot I drove it, only after checking fluid. PT Ran fine until we were on our way back, every time I engaged clutch car would die, then starteed getting pinging noise from engine area, then complete loss of power and white steam/smoke came from exhaust. There we sat on side of rode, dad kickin himself for driving it. Vehicle did not register being hot. It will try start but will not. Any advice or help.

I hate to say it but........cracked block?

[quicksilverdon]

Originally Posted by Windancer

I hate to say it but........cracked block?

That would be a first - I haven't read of any of those....

[Duster]

Same here. Never heard of a cracked block/intake on a PT.

I'd say look at the gasket first.

[slartyblarfast]

This sounds like a VERY expensive problem. I'm willing to bet the head is warped and head gasket wasted. Also it could have scored the cylinder walls. Only way to tell is pull the head.

[jaa70]

Tearing it down now. To replace Water pump, Head gasket, and Timing Belt....$850.00. Hope nothing wrong with Head....