I have a 1997 grand prix so I am a forum member but my parents have a 2001 PT Cruiser, they are the original owner and the car only has 28,000 miles on it I was taking them from New York to Tennessee to visit me about 2 hours into the trip the cars temp light came on an the gauge almost went into the red I pulled it over checked it water, oil, trans fluid were all good. I let it rest for 30 minutes then continued it after 90 minutes it started again I need gas so stopped for gas checked water still fine in the little bit of time it took to fill it it cooled down to normal. after 100 miles it did it again, again under hood everything is fine. heater works car has power we can hit 80 no problem. Every time I stop it even if its just for 10 minutes the gauge drops to normal and I get about an hour out of it I begin to figure I have a bad gauge Drive it for 170 miles with gauge in red. Suddenly engine quits car completely dies and steam is pouring from under the hood. We are in West Virginia 400 miles from home. We get the car towed guy is supposed to tow it to a chrysler dealer, calls the next day says we need a new engine. I had to pry why out of him he said we blew a cylinder header head. I said just change the head and gasket. He stated that "well it has new compression so I know the bottom end it gone too." When I get there it turns out he did NOT tow it to a Chrysler dealer he took it to his own shop. I had to get a car to get my parents home two guy still has the car. Any ideas what to do? I am thinking of having him tow it to a Chrysler dealer and get a second opinion, problem is if it is a whole engine Chrysler will probably want more than $5,200 dollars. I got suspicious when he; a.) brought it to his own shop b.) would not tell me why we needed an engine and c.) stated "Soon as I pulled the radiator cap I could see this was going on for a while and knew you blew the engine" d.) also said; " You want to change the head you are welcome to it but we don't do that here when the head is gone and you have no compression at all engine gets pulled and we put in a jaspar engine" I looked him up online and he has 27 reviews three go0d the rest stating he is a crook and did bad work or unnecessary work. Dad and mom are upset they loved the car and wanted me to have it. Please help I need ideas quick I don't know in west Virgina who can recommend someone I figure this guy saw the New York Plates and figured he has us.
Originally Posted by stealthee
