How to Remove the Engine From a PT Cruiser

The Chrysler PT Cruiser has either a 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder engine. The process for removing both engines will be the same. Removing the engine from a Chrysler PT Cruiser is a complicated job that will take the proper knowledge and tools to complete without damaging the engine, engine components or the engine compartment. To remove the engine from the engine compartment, you will need to disconnect the transmission from the engine and everything else that is connected to the engine, and remove some of the engine components around the engine. You will also need to remove the motor mounts that secure the engine to the frame, and the radiator will need to be drained into a bucket and pulled out of the engine compartment.

Things You'll Need

  • Jack
  • Jack stands
  • Drain bucket
  • Screw driver
  • Ziplock bags
  • Ratchet set
  • Wrench
  • Engine hoist
  • Engine hoist chain
  • Raise the front end of the Chrysler PT Cruiser with the jack and rest the PT Cruiser's front end onto 2 jack stand. Make sure that the PT Cruiser's engine is completely cooled off before you start to work.

  • Open the PT Cruiser's hood and place the drain bucket under the radiator. Remove the hose that is going from the radiator to the PT Cruiser's engine using a screwdriver to unscrew the securing clamp on the hose. Allow the radiator to completely drain into the drain bucket.

  • Remove the bolts that are securing the radiator to the engine compartment wall using the ratchet set. Pull the PT Cruiser's radiator off of the frame and out of the engine compartment. Place the radiator's securing bolts in a Ziplock bag and label the bag "Radiator Bolts."

  • Remove the bolts that are securing the PT Cruiser's air conditioning compressor to the engine using the ratchet set. Place the securing bolts into a Ziplock bag and label the bag "AC Bolts." Pull the PT Cruiser's air conditioning compressor off of the engine and out of the engine compartment. Loosen all of the electric wires and remove the wires from the engine using a wrench. Get under the PT Cruiser and remove the securing bolts that are connecting the exhaust manifold to the transmission using the ratchet set. Place the exhaust manifold bolts into another Ziplock bag and label that bag "Exhaust Manifold Bolts."

  • Remove the securing bolts that are connecting the transmission to the engine using the ratchet set. Place the transmission securing bolts into another Ziplock back and label that bag "Transmission Bolts."

  • Remove the motor mounts securing the engine to the frame of the PT Cruiser using the ratchet set. Place the motor mounts and the motor mount bolts into another Ziplock bag and label that bag "Motor Mounts and Bolts."

  • Place the engine hoist in front of the PT Cruiser. Connect the engine hoist chain to the PT Cruiser's motor mount fittings on both sides of the engine using two bolts. Connect the chain to the engine hoist. Use the engine hoist to lift the PT Cruiser's engine out of the engine compartment.