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Followup To
Question -
i own a 2002 Sebring GTX convertible-2.7 v6 engine from one day to next heater stopped emmitting warm air.. blower works fine. if this is a Thermostat prob can you tell me where its located and the replacement procedure?
Help would be greatly appreciated.
Thak you, Patrick
Answer -
Hi Patrick,
I am not equipped with a manual for the Sebring, much less one as recent as 2002. But I can give you some help in answering whether this is a thermostat problem. If the car has temperature gauge is it reading in the same range as you have experienced in the past (usually 1/4 to 3/4 full scale).
Hi Roland thanks for response...well the temp gauge went to all the way HOT and light came on the Dash.and then had some smoke/steam? from under the hood.. AND the Radiator fan did come on. the guage goes up every time u start and run car for a bit...this a thermostatt problem? By the way no digital readouts just knobs and dials on controls
AnswerP.S. Here is another explanation of how to find and replace the thermostat on the 2.5L if that is the engine that you have.
If you start at the coolant filler neck at its base, go toward the driver's side where you will pass the temp sensor on the top of housing and then a little further in the same direction you will see an elbow with a large water hose, held in place on the front of the same housing by 3 bolts. Remove those bolts and the housing and there you will find the thermostat. It may be hidden underneath the large air inlet tube.
To remove, drain the system till you believe that you have lowered to the housing level (maybe about 3 quarts, collect in a pan and save for reuse). Before you do the draining procedure, start the engine and turn the heater setting to full heat so as to open the heater's water valve line. Then turn off the engine. Then open the radiator drain and watch for overflow bottle to drain first, then open filler cap to drain the required amount to get the level down to the thermostat housing level. (Draining it this way will help prevent air bubbles in the system). Then remove the elbow and clean the surfaces,note the position of the old thermostat, then put in new thermostat with the vent notch facing upward, check or replace o-ring or gasket as case may be, then install the elbow tightening bolts to about 9 foot pounds, then refill the system thru the filler neck and add additional to the overflow bottle. Start the engine and check for leaks at the elbow.
If you don't have the 2.5 this is not relevant. But in any case read the original message about the possibility of a head gasket leak. I would not drive the car any distance without carrying water, so you don't run out before you can get it to a shop or repair it at home. Any time the engine temp goes off scale is a time to stop and let it cool off and add fluid.
Hi Patrick,
O.K. that means one of two things: a thermostat stuck shut or a head gasket leak. I hope for the former to be the case.
I would begin by checking the radiator filler to make sure that you have sufficient coolant in the system. If not fill it with 50/50 misture of antifreeze and water, or if you don't have antifreeze use plain water. Also fill the overflow bottle to the lines about midway on the side.
Then look at the dipstick for the oil and see if it looks cloudy or milky rather than clear. If it is cloudy or milky that is a sign of a head gasket leak.
Start the engine and observe whether you ar getting white smoke from the tail pipe in greater amounts than is usual and allow some of it to condense on you hand and see if it smells like coolant. If it does, that is also a sign of a head gasket leak.
If the oil looks o.k. and the exhaust is normal, then the thermostat stuck shut is worth investigating. I am not familiar with the 2.7L engine if that is the one that you have (look on the sticker under the hood or what might be engraved on the engine as to its size). If the engine is the 2.5L then the thermostat is located in a housing that runs below the throttle body (the point where the air intake for the engine is connected). You will see a round manifold with a large cooling hose coming into it from the side. That manifold contains the thermostat which you can get at by unbolting the manifold. But you should drain the radiator to remove all the coolant and collect it in a pan for reuse or recycle before opening the manifold. Once you open the manifold you will find the thermostat. Note how it is positioned in the housing before you remove it so you can replace it correctly. Put it in a pan of water on the stove and watch to see if the valve opens as the water approaches boiling. It will be a slight change in shape so look carefully. It it doesn't change then the thermostat is stuck closed and needs to be replaced. After replacement (use a new gasket or o-ring on the manifold) refill the system and see if that solves the overheat problem.
If you have the signs of a head gasket leak then that means a repair in a shop. Is the engine still under warranty? If so that would be good to avail yourself of at a dealership.
Such a leak is expensive to repair (cylinder head has to be removed).
So do those observations and write back with the results.
Roland
