2007 PT Cruiser Overheated now wont start!!

[kbryant]

Hello, I have a 2007 PT cruiser that I need some advice on........
My car began overheating about 2 weeks ago, a friend of mine changed the thermostat and refilled the antifreeze. On Sunday he flushed my radiator because it was still getting hot while idle.

The car was running well, air working but I did notice on the streets the temp gauge would rise but not to the red!! On the highway the car was perfect.

Monday while on the expressway the gauge hit red, I pulled over and let the car cool for about 15 minutes and began driving again about 3 miles in it hit red, then went down to cool but the car began sputtering and slowing down. The more I accelerated the slower the car went, I had to pull over on the highway. It was smoking, nothing leaking from the car, the coolant was bubbling. Once cool my mechanic friend added antifreeze and checked the hoses. But the car will not start. Any suggestions on what the problem could be?

[kbryant]

I should say the car wont fire, the car is turning over and I can hear the fuel pump engaging but it wont catch

[soyomb]

as far as the overheating, i'd bet dollars to doughnuts it's the radiator fan. doesn't make sense that it won't start due to that problem.

[Busted_PT]

Originally Posted by soyomb

as far as the overheating, i'd bet dollars to doughnuts it's the radiator fan. doesn't make sense that it won't start due to that problem.

If it was smoking from the tailpipe, then you blew the head gasket.
A tow would have been a better idea.

[CREWZIN]

Originally Posted by Busted_PT

If it was smoking from the tailpipe, then you blew the head gasket.
A tow would have been a better idea.

I agree. Shouldn't have driven it while overheating. Cracked head gasket (or worse) will stop it from starting if coolant got to places internally.

[UptownSport]

Agree- There's internal engine damage- (besides head gasket) unless it got so hot it melted sensors/wiring (Yes, this does happen)

[Dill]

Yeah, prbably started as radiator issue (note how OP said it was fine going fast) then once the radiator fan issue overheated once too far it warped the head gasket

[kbryant]

No it wasn't smoking from the tailpipe it was smoking from the hood of the car, I am hoping it is just a sensor or wiring issue. It did not smoke very long either may a few minutes.

[kbryant]

Originally Posted by Busted_PT

If it was smoking from the tailpipe, then you blew the head gasket.
A tow would have been a better idea.

If it was smoking from the engine what do you think it could be?

[CREWZIN]

If it got hot enough, could have blown a hose. Any coolant sprayed over parts of the motor? Also, when mine overheated, the coolant expanded enough where the coolant came out the top of the overflow bottle next to the firewall all over the engine. What a red sticky mess that was. Yes, hot enough to make steam when the coolant hit the outside atmosphere.