Chrysler Repair: 06 2.4L engine: loss of coolant/bubbling problems. P0128, cylinder head bolts, head gasket leak


Question
QUESTION: Why does the coolant of the sebring hear that it is bubbling after putting water in it.. also the coolant is always low.. i have to check it every 2 days... Please help on how to fix this problem? It hears bubbling the coolant in the container.

ANSWER: Hi Debbie,
I assume that the bubbling occurs whether the engine has been running recently or not, i.e. that is not bubbling due to boiling necessarily, and that the bubbling occurs shortly after starting the engine from cold, correct? Have you noticed that when you start the engine from cold that there is a quite noticeable amount of white smoke that comes out the tailpipe of the exhaust system? Have you checked the oil and found it to be cloudy/milky rather than clear?
I ask you all these questions because coupled with excessive need to keep adding water any one of these symptoms would be consistent with a leak in the head gasket that otherwise seals together the engine block and the cylinder head and would otherwise prevent exhaust gas from the cylinders from leaking into the cooling system (which produces the bubbles) or coolant entering the cylinders and producing white smoke out the tailpipe, or coolant from getting into the oil and making it milky.  Not all these things necessarily happen but any one, along with the unexplained loss of coolant, means that there is such a head gasket leak.
If that is the case it does unfortunately require a good amount of labor to remove the cylinder head and replace the gasket. If that is out of the question, financially, then you might try a chemical fix of the leak by putting a coolant system stop leak/sealer in the cooling system, specifically Bar's Leak which is an excellent product which could seal the gasket leak if it is not a major tear. The other approach that I have taken in the past with some success is to loosen and then retorque the cylinder head bolts on the possibility that the gasket isn't frankly torn, and rather that the bolts are loose enough to allow leakage to occur. That would however require still a lot of labor with this engine so it might not be worth the money spent if that didn't work out as a 'fix'.
So you might try the Bar's Leak, and if that doesn't work then the major gasket replacement.
Let me know if this analysis doesn't appear to be consistent with your symptoms. A check of the compression of each cylinder would likely reveal the location of the leak as one would be lower than the other three.
Might the age or miles driven be such that the engine is still under manufacturer's warranty?
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer, and where you see the question about a 'nomination' for me to be 'volunteer of the month consider a 'yes' response. Thank you
Roland

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QUESTION: Im getting a check engine light the code reads PO128.. Ive already added antifreeze coolant.. Help!

ANSWER: Hi Debbie,
This code simply notices that the cooling system is not functioning properly because it is heating up more rapidly than it is predicted to do. I am not surprised to see that code. But until you get to the bottom of why the coolant is being lost the code won't go away nor will your overall problem. So please do the things that I suggested that you do in my original answer particularly focusing toward a head gasket leak or not.
Also, if you would be so kind as to click on the "thank/rate" tab and offer a nomination to be 'volunteer of the month' I would be most appreciative.
Roland

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QUESTION: Roland.. They did that already.. There was a head gasket leak also the cylinder.. Im confused why this engine light has appeared and saying coolant low. Help!

Answer
Hi Debbie,
When you say: "did that already", exactly what has been done? I wonder because you brought the problem here on Wednesday night and so I am a bit uncertain if the head gasket job could have been done that quickly, but maybe so.
In any case, if the low coolant warning light is 'on', and that by the way is consistent with the 0128 code, it appears to me that the problem is not resolved by whatever was done. Do you have a receipt for the repair and can you tell me what it says?
Roland


Roland Sir.. It took 3 days to fix.. Heres the work they did? also gave me a 90 day warranty..

R&R Cylinder head gasket, Resurface Cylinder head, Valve job Cylinder head, Head gasket set, New Water pump, New set of spark plugs, New oil filter, motor oil, New oil pressure switch, New timing belt....  Please help sir!!



Answer:

Hi Debbie,
If you are still loosing coolant, and if the 0128 code is new since the repair, and if there is still bubbling in the cooling system, or in fact if any one of these three issues is present, then the repair was not effective in solving the problem. So take it back tomorrow and have them figure out what is the cause of the continuing problem and expect that they will do whatever else is necessary to solve it at no further cost to you. Be courteous but firm in your expectations of them. There is either still head gasket leak or some other internal engine coolant leak which they should have found and repaired when they did the work on it.
Please let me know what happens. And if you would be so kind as to rate/nominate me that would be appreciated.
Roland

Hi Debbie,
I hope with my answers you can go back to the shop on Monday and get a satisfactory remedy for your continuing issue with this same problem. Do let me know what results you obtain. No doubt this repair was expensive and clearly they didn't succeed...yet. but don't pay any more than you already have! Keep the receipts in case you need to get judicial remedy in Small Claims Court. But I do hope that is not necessary.
I want to also thank you for the 'rating' of my help. I wonder if you noticed that in addition to the rating that you are also asked to consider giving me a nomination to be 'volunteer of the month'? I am behind the leader by a couple of nominations, so if you would be willing to click on the 'thank/rate' tab again, only this time also say 'yes' to a 'nomination' I would be most grateful. Thank you