Car Repair

Asked by GuruV32DX Sep 21, 2018 at 04:27 PM about the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Wagon FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I own a 2008 PT Cruiser. My niece drove it while it was running hot. The mechanic at Christian Brothers says the engine needs to be replaced because the pistons are not giving it the compression it needs to start.  Can the pistons be replaced without purchasing a new engine?

5 Answers

F_O_R answered 5 years ago

To replace the pistons means a full rebuild of the engine.

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KenF answered 5 years ago

Take it somewhere else and get a second opinion. Because "pistons are not giving it the compression it needs to start" is a bizarre diagnosis. Maybe you lost compression due to a blown head gasket. The only way to lose compression due to the pistons is if you burned a hole through one or lost any number of piston rings. Overheated engines can blow out a head gasket, and replacing those is cheaper than replacing the entire engine. If your mechanic can prove a piston is damaged (a bore scope can peer down inside the spark plug hole), then it may be best to go with a replacement, or "reman" (remanufactured) engine, as opposed to rebuilding your engine.

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F_O_R answered 5 years ago

Agree with the above. A used motor might be the way to go on a 11 year old car. Buy a crate motor or rebuild the engine only if you love the car.

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GuruVGDN3 answered 5 years ago

I have a 2001 pt, and I just had the fan replaced, check that out, it took car of my problem

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