Chrysler Repair: 01 Sebring 2.7L:Overheating, chrysler sebring convertible, chrysler sebring

Question
Hi Roland,

Sorry I forgot to include that. I have a 2.7 V6, its also a convertible.

Answer
History:
I have a 2001 Chrysler Sebring Convertible, V6, and the other day it nearly overheated while I was driving. I had been driving for only about 15 minutes when I noticed the engine temperature going way up and the light coming on. When I turned the car off there was smoke/steam coming from under the hood (it was late at night so I'm not sure which it was). I put in some coolant the next day and it took an entire gallon which seems like a lot. It hasn't happened again but I haven't drive for more than 30 minutes since that has happened. I tried the on-off-on-off-on to get an error code and once I got "done" but since then I haven't gotten any codes, none beginning with a P at all. Also, a few days before the "overheating" happened I was putting oil in my car and I noticed around the thermostat that it was wet and there was a sizzling sound coming from where it was wet. It didn't smell like anything so I assume it is water but it seems odd that it was wet at all. It doesn't look like there is a hole in the hose because that wasn't wet at all. It was just wet on the left side next to the plastic holding tank for the coolant at what I think is the thermostat. I'm hoping you can tell me what's wrong. I've also noticed that when I filled up the coolant it was at the "max" line and the next day I couldn't see any coolant in there at all. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
History:
Hi Roland, Thanks for all of your help so far. The part is the "water housing assembly" Its like the black part that is directly next to the plastic tank that holds the coolant. This is the second time the piece my car needed was "dealership only" according to this mechanic. The other was a driver side rear strut upper mount. Thanks, Lacee
Answer:
Hi Lacee,
My '03 manual shows there to be a "coolant outlet connector" mounted on the front-middle of the engine and that it has three separate hoses that go to the heater core, radiator, and the pressure bottle. If that is what they are calling the water housing assembly then I can see that this would likely only be sold at a dealer. If you were going to replace it yourself it might be worth looking for another source at a lower price. It requires removal of the upper intake manifold of the engine to replace it. It would be something an amateur could do with the aid of the pages from the shop manual. Otherwise a dealer might be the better choice than a general repair shop that might not have the details. Basically it is similar to a 'thermostat housing' but without the thermostat (which is located elsewhere in the system). I hope this is helful to you and that the cost of $275 is not too great for your budget.
Roland