Q: 2002 PT Cruiser overheating and rattling noise

asked by on March 18, 2017

My car, a 2002 PT Cruiser, has been overheating for about 3 months now. I'm always needing to put radiator fluid in it. Just recently it has started shutting off on me. And now it's making a rattling noise when I accelerate. I've stopped driving it because I don't want to make anything worse. But I need to get it up and running soon. Any advice?

My car has 190000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car is overheating Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there. The best advice I can offer is to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car is overheating inspection. My fear however, is that the frequent overheating may have caused internal engine damage; especially if you have not noticed coolant leaking in your driveway or where you park. That is often what causes you to have to add coolant frequently.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Tips for maintaining my Honda after 100,000 miles?
The best recommendation I can give to any car owner is follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. The 100,000-mile service typically includes inspecting and, if necessary, replacing the fluids in your transmission, hydraulic brake system, and cooling system. Engine and cabin...
How do I clear the previous HomeLink garage door opener settings?
If you move, or are purchasing a used car, you’ll want to clear the previous HomeLink garage door opener settings before programming your own. You can do this in a few easy steps. Locate the HomeLink garage door buttons. There...
How do you silence the horn beep feature when using the remote?
Your car is set by default to honk the horn when you lock your doors with the remote. However, you can change this if you prefer. Here’s what you need to do: Press both the lock and unlock buttons on...
Can front wheel drive car engine power rear wheel drive
Anything is possible with enough engineering. The changes you are looking at would take major structural changes and would definitely not be an easy job. You could possibly consult a manufacturing engineer to get more details on how this could...
Is my 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo AWD or 2WD?
Hi there: It's difficult to tell you whether you're Jeep Grand Cherokee is 4WD, AWD or 2WD as we don't have access to the vehicle, the VIN number or your registration. The best thing you could do to determine whether...
can bent axle cause spider gear to break?
Hello, when you have a failure in the rear differential assembly the metal debris will ruin bearings. A shim kit may be required to set-up the diff. to proper specs. A bent axle can damage gears. There are measurements that...
Car goes forward when put in reverse backup lights do not come on
Hi there. The most common cause of this type of problem is a transmission sensor, or linkage malfunction or a pressure imbalance in the transmission. With these issues, the car is unsafe to drive until this is resolved. You should...
How to safely lift my vehicle
Hello. The jacking points on your vehicle should be marked by a triangle on the side of the pinch weld pointing down. You place the jack right underneath the pinch weld to lift up the vehicle. The lifting points should...
ABS and Traction control light on and I lost battery power
In many cases, when there is a drop in electrical power in the vehicle, this may trigger the ABS light to come on as you have described in addition to causing the dash gauges to not work properly. I would...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chrysler 300
The The Chrysler 300 is a large luxury sedan that looks great, handles well, and has more power than many realize. Chrysler was once one of the biggest automakers in the world, and with this vehicle, they showed that they...
2012 Chrysler 200 vs. 2012 Chevrolet Malibu: Which One Should I Buy?
When you are looking for a small-range sedan, you need to get somewhere quickly and inexpensively, and may even need to take a few kids with you. Slightly larger than a commuter car, these mid-size options offer decent gas mileage,...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re an Interior Designer
As As an interior designer, you need to transport a great many different items, including fabric, paint and wallpaper samples and sometimes even furniture items. You probably don’t handle overly large loads very often, and when you have to, you’ll...