The water temperature in your Chrysler Sebring is important for regulating the cooling system. If the water temperature gets too hot, the cooling system simply will not work; the engine will be left too hot and can overheat causing a catastrophic failure of the engine. The essential components in the cooling system are the water pump, the cooling channels, the radiator and fan assembly and, of course, the coolant and water mixture.
Open the hood of your Sebring and open the radiator cap that is located on the top of the radiator. Push down on the cap and turn it counterclockwise to remove it.
Look at the color of the coolant. It should be green. If it's brown, or the color of peanut butter, you'll need to have the cooling system overhauled because there is rust in the system.
Start your Sebring's engine.
Wait 10 to 15 minutes for the Sebring to warm up to normal operating temperature. Normal operating temperature is reached when the needle on the Sebring's water temperature gauge on the dash sits between the upper and lower marks on the gauge. Ideally, the needle should sit just below the middle mark on the gauge.
Check for green fluid dripping underneath your Sebring on the right side of the car near the engine. This can indicate a failure of the water pump and the fluid leaking out of the Sebring's water pump weep hole. This will also cause your Sebring to overheat because coolant and water are not circulating properly, which will raise the water temperature. The pump must be replaced.
If the water temperature rises into the red shaded area of the water temperature gauge, and there is no coolant leaking from the system, have your radiator serviced.
