2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER radiator

Coolant Checks
Check coolant protection every 12 months (before the
onset of freezing weather, where applicable). If coolant is
dirty or rusty in appearance, the system should be
drained, flushed and refilled with fresh coolant.
Check the front of the radiator for an accumulation of
bugs, leaves, etc. Clean the radiator by gently spraying
water from a garden hose at the back of the core.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection at the
bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
coolant from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing
properly, the coolant will begin to drain from the coolant
recovery bottle. Do not remove the cap when the cooling
system is hot.
Cooling System Ð Drain, Flush And Refill
At the intervals shown on the Maintenance Schedules,
the system should be drained, flushed and refilled.
If the solution is dirty and contains a considerable
amount of sediment, clean and flush with a reliable
cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to
remove all deposits and chemicals. Discard old antifreeze
solution.
Engine Coolant Disposal
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. To prevent ingestion by animals or children
do not store ethylene glycol based engine coolant in open
containers or allow it to remain in puddles on the
ground. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
266 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturers recommended coolant, refer
to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct coolant type.
CAUTION!
Failure to use the proper antifreeze could cause
radiator plugging and engine overheating. Do not
mix antifreeze brands or use plain water alone or
alcohol based antifreeze products. Do not use addi-
tional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they
may not be compatible with the radiator coolant and
may plug the radiator.
Adding Coolant
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% eth-
ylene glycol antifreeze coolant in water should be used.Use higher concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if tempera-
tures below234ÉF (237ÉC) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/antifreeze solution. The
use of lower quality water will reduce the amount of
corrosion protection in the engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner's responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to insure that coolant will return to the
radiator from the coolant recovery bottle.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 267
7

The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
The warning words ªDO NOT OPEN HOTº on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
Never add coolant when the engine is overheated.
Do not loosen or remove the cap to cool an over-
heated engine. Heat causes pressure to build up in
the cooling system. To prevent scalding or injury, do
not remove the pressure cap while the system is hot
or under pressure.
Coolant Level
The coolant recovery bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the coolant level is ad-
equate. With the engine idling, and warm to normaloperating temperature, the level of the coolant in the
bottle should be between the ªFULLº and ªADDº marks.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise your
service attendant of this. As long as the engine operating
temperature is satisfactory, the coolant recovery bottle
need only be checked once a month.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant recovery
bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few kilome-
ters (a few miles) of operation, you may observe vapor
coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
268 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

humidity accumulation on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot water to
enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
²Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
²Check coolant freeze point in the system.
²If frequent coolant additions are required, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
²Maintain coolant concentration at 50% ethylene glycol
antifreeze (minimum) in water for proper corrosion
protection of your engine which contains aluminum
components.
²Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
²Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle has
air conditioning, keep the front of the condenser clean,
also.
²Do not change the thermostat for summer or winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory coolant performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses
Inspect surfaces of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence
of heat and mechanical damage. Hard or soft spots,
brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and exces-
sive swelling indicate deterioration of the rubber
Pay particular attention to the hoses nearest to high heat
sources such as the exhaust manifold. Inspect hose rout-
ing to be sure hoses do not touch any heat source or
moving component that may cause heat damage or
mechanical wear.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 269
7

FUSE Amp/Color Items Fused
1 30 Amp/Pink Ignition Start
2 40 Amp/Green Anti-Lock Brake (ABS)
Pump
3 40 Amp/Green Ignition Run
4 30 Amp/Blue Heated Seats
5 40 Amp/Green Radiator Fan
6 20 Amp/Blue Power Height Adjuster
7 30 Amp/Blue Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) So-
lenoid
8 40 Amp/Green Electric Back Light (EBL)
9 Spare
10 40 Amp/Green Exterior Lighting, Remote
Keyless Entry, Alarm and
Door Locks
11 10 Amp/Red Air Conditioning (A/C)
12 15 Amp/Lt.
BlueStop LightsFUSE Amp/Color Items Fused
13 20 Amp/
YellowFuel Pump/Auto Shut
Down (ASD)
14 15 Amp/Lt.
BlueHorn
15 20 Amp/
YellowElectronic Automatic
Transaxle (ETAX)
16 15 Amp/Lt.
BlueHi Beam
17 20 Amp/
YellowIgnition Off Draw (IOD)
18 15 Amp/Lt.
BlueHazard
19 20 Amp/
YellowPower Outlets
20 Spare
21 20 Amp/
YellowFog Lights (Build-Up Ex-
port Only)
22 Spare
284 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder and transaxle and add as needed.
²Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
²Check rubber seals on each side of the radiator for
proper fit.
At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the exhaust system.
²Inspect the brake hoses.
²Inspect the CV joints and front suspension compo-
nents.
²Check the automatic transaxle fluid level.
²Check the manual transaxle fluid level and fill plug
condition.
²Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
²Rotate the tires at each oil change interval shown on
Schedule ªAºÐNON TURBO CHARGED ENGINES
6,000 miles (10 000 km), Schedule ªAºÐTURBO
CHARGED ENGINES 5,000 miles (8 000 km), or every
other interval shown on Schedule ªBºÐALL EN-
GINES 6,000 miles (10 000 km).
296 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Autostick...........................135,187
Back-Up Lights......................... 289
Ball Joints............................. 262
Battery............................... 259
Keyless Transmitter Replacement............ 25
Belts, Drive............................ 256
Belts, Engine........................... 258
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 262
B-Pillar Location........................ 202
Brake Fluid............................ 292
Brake, Parking.......................... 192
Brake System........................194,270
Anti-Lock........................... 194
Hoses.............................. 270
Master Cylinder....................... 271
Parking............................. 192
Warning Light........................ 132
Brakes.............................194,270Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 184
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 59
Bulb Replacement.....................286,287
Bulbs, Light............................ 286
Calibration, Compass..................... 107
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........ 290
Capacities, Fluid........................ 290
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 221
Radiator............................ 267
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 220
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier....................... 119
Carrier, Luggage........................ 119
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 165
Cassette Tape Player..................... 138
Catalytic Converter...................... 256
Caution, Exhaust Gas...................... 59
INDEX 327
10

Radiator Cap......................... 267
Selection of Coolant.................... 267
Corrosion Protection..................... 276
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 258
Cruise Light........................... 133
Cup Holder............................ 112
Customer Assistance..................... 316
Dealer Service.......................... 250
Defroster, Rear Window................... 173
Defroster, Windshield................60,168,169
Delay Wipers........................... 99
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 248
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.................. 97
Disposal
Engine Oil........................... 255
Door Ajar............................. 133
Door Locks............................. 18
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 20Downshifting.......................... 191
Drive Belts............................ 256
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 238
Electric Rear Window Defrost............... 173
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 68
Electrical Power Outlets................... 110
Electronic Power Distribution Center.......... 282
Electronic Speed Control................... 101
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 230
Jump Starting......................... 235
Towing............................. 240
Emergency Trunk Release................... 29
Emission Control System Maintenance......249,294
Engine............................246,247
Break-In Recommendations................ 59
Checking Oil Level..................... 251
INDEX 329
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