PT Cruiser Timing Belt (and Why Mechanics Need to be Paid More)

My youngest son could afford a cheap car. This cheap car. I can see why it was so cheap - the maintenance was more than the value of the car!
Harmonic Balancer Puller:
www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....
Thinner Ratchet Wrenches:
www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/ma...

[@affordabledcgenerators1607]

I taught auto shop and had two kids so this job. I was disgusted with how difficult the job was. F'n Chrysler! Good kids, they got it done.

[@nytrackrider]

As an owner of 6 PT's Cruiser's since 2001 when they released, I can say that the enjoyment far outweighs the maintenance. Especially the GT models with the 5spd Manual. So much fun. idc about the price, get it done so i can get back to my enjoyment and stress reliever.

[@GregWellwood]

I do confess, I do enjoy driving it.

[@skootrcootr4073]

Please share your experiences with us.🙏

[@jadenevenden1797]

Just wait until it blows a head gasket, your counsellor's counsellor will need a counsellor..... At least you are not in Australia where the steering has been adapted to the right hand side and put more stuff in the way for s***s and giggles. XD

[@kimberlycary2722]

😂😅😂😅😢😢😢

[@skootrcootr4073]

😅😅😅

[@edwardwest2795]

My 2005 pt cruiser needs a water pump, heater core, radiator, struts, engine mounts, rubber bushing in the control arms, ac charge, key cylinder, radio don't work ,might need an electronic modulator, lift struts on the back window and a new ignition key. But it runs good if you put water in it for a couple days

[@jarhead6153]

Nice job, heard from a buddy what a nightmare maintenance wise those “cool” lookin’ retro cars are.

[@rennkafer13]

I did that job on the turbo version... I will never touch one again.

[@Maplecook]

Watching this again, because it's different after having done my first timing belt. Holy crap, what a job from hell.

[@GregWellwood]

The 4AGE belt video I did a few years ago was cake. Wait for this week's video!

[@guyaldrich5878]

I saved myself $2500 doing this job myself ! I replaced everything you have to remove to do this job ! I wouldn't wait for 100,000 miles to do it again , seen too many timing belts break between 70,000 and 80,000 miles ! I replaced the whole engine cooling system while I did this job ! The job is easier to do that way !

[@TheDivergentDrummer]

New Sub, 10 seconds in and I love you energy and how you deliver. I'm in the process of re-valving my 08 Pilot. ALso have AC issues, guess what i'm watching next lol. "Cursing at Chrysler" "I'm pulling the power steering blots, see them there? No, Neither do I, and neither will you " lol

[@mumblbeebee6546]

It is not kind to laugh at other people’s misfortune, but you are making it damn hard not to giggle with your commentary! But it’s in the name: you’re cruisin for pity with one of those. All show, no thought went into that!

[@GregWellwood]

"Years from now, this will make for a very funny story...."

[@isbcornbinder]

Thanx for the advice on the POS CRUISER

[@skootrcootr4073]

But don't you still love yours?

[@johnleone8314]

As all the motor mounts are removed, a hydraulic jack and a board under the oil pan, raise and lower the engine for easier access to the timing belt assembly.

[@FrankRuiz66]

I redid my 08 pt cruiser base model ac system a few years ago from RA parts.. UAC compressor lines and condenser.. It was under 300.back then and it still works great..

[@GregWellwood]

A/C is next week's video (grin).

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Great and helpful videos. Can't wait to see more videos soon. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Fab On. Weld On. Keep teaching. Keep making. God bless.

[@bradpage8967]

Every one of my fellow mechanics who have been unfortunate to have worked on the PT Cruiser have all said that they will NEVER buy another! That’s good enough for me to never buy my first one!😁

[@AndrewWatson975]

@@notsevenfeettallthe gt version comes with the srt engine

[@only1muppet]

Just thought I’d add a few things for future knowledge. Chrysler had a recall on the timing belt tensioner for 2001-02, that’s why it didn’t match. I’ve found that using a 3ft socket extension and a swivel joint makes it much easier to get the bolts out of the power steering pump. Also a 2ft extension and swivel to remove the bolt on the back side of the bracket for the top motor mount. The easier way to remove the heavy steel bracket is to unbolt the center mount, rotate it 180. It’ll give you just enough space to wiggle it out. You’ll also be jacking the engine up and down a lot, be sure to use a piece of wood between the jack and oil pan. I’m currently fighting with the bent tensioner to get the belt on. Worse part is, this is the second time I’ll be replacing it. That’s my only issue with it.

[@larrykittell726]

I changed the belt on my 2001 because the water pump was leaking badly. It took me 2 weeks after work and on Saturdays. It was absolutely THE hardest timing belt I've ever done and I will never do one for somebody else, but I love driving them so much that I now own FIVE of them. So there will be another timing belt in the future. Unless I swap in a 3.3 or 3.8 from a Caravan... 😉

[@skootrcootr4073]

I fully understand.

[@User6327]

So if the engine has been replaced already, you definitely changed the timing belt on a low mileage salvage engine. ;)

[@frankmcgorman962]

Had a similar experience when I had to replace the water pump in my 2003 Neon. Maybe not as tight a space (my power steering pump was easily accessible compared to yours) since it is a SOHC. Replaced the timing belt as well, as that was well past it's "best before" date, even though it was in excellent shape for having 310,000 km on it. I also should have done the centre motor mount while I was in there, since that decided to fail after another 20,000 km. This is not an operation you want to do more than once.

[@GregWellwood]

I think even once is twice too many.

[@pegjones7682]

After spending $3600 on my pt cruiser in repairs, I knew nothing about timing chains, my timing chain went destroying the engine with no warning . 150000 kms. Wish the stupid mechanic had warned me BEFORE i spent all that money. Used cars are expensive now plus the new government tax of 12% on the BLUE BOOK value. Pretty disappointing.

[@kimberlycary2722]

❤ I'm so bummed...😢 I own a PT...2004 base model. Your delivery in your video is excellent!! Thanks for the nightmares... 😂😅😂😅😂😅 You're adorable and I really appreciate your honest, straight, and abbreviated information. I

[@papanimalang8874]

Thank you. Love the video

[@samuelgoodman2825]

My brother in law found out about the PT.He got disgusted and let his sit for about a year before he finished it up.Actually did a few "Modifications"on the fender apron for those tight bolts.

[@tedflowers6347]

Yep, did my 2003 PT timing belt after the water pump failed and stripped the belt! 30 hours but all OK, compression all still even which was a surprised as I was sure there would be valve damage. You can see the tensioner tell tail through the T55 engine mounting bolt hole!

[@jdwilliams518]

we didn't know we needed to remove that bracket either.. i really hate that bracket..

[@sleepy1gn]

As a neon guy I found sympathy with your suffering. There is a lot more room with a neon and even then it is a tight fit.

[@eewheeler29]

I have done many I always dropped subfram with engine & trans

[@slypig24]

At least it made good content for the channel.. enjoyed watching it anyway.

[@jefferywarburton2116]

It is time once again to go play cuss the Chrysler.

[@oldman9642]

Might been easier to pull the engine to do this job.

[@Lickmuffin]

Total amateur here, working from a Haynes manual, did the belt on a 93 Dodge Shadow. Very similar cluster hump. Have to say, though, that I wish I still had that car.

[@timmorris6479]

Jack up down u can make it work

[@williambasinger5859]

Techs don’t need more money you just need to train a spider monkey

[@GregWellwood]

More beer for me, then! (grin)

[@williambasinger5859]

@@GregWellwood I had a service manager once that would always say to a tech whining about how hard a repair job is. That the vehicle was probably assembled by a little black woman on the assembly line making union wage. All you need to do is be a bit smarter than her and you can repair it issue.

[@kimberlycary2722]

Would it be better to simply replace the entire motor/engine? Or would it be worth it?

[@skootrcootr4073]

I've been thinking about that too. I found a motor, 81,000 and all new gear installed on it ready to go. Would pulling the motor suck any worse? The cost of the motor is $1600.

[@skootrcootr4073]

It's a sickness... I am one of them. I can't explain it either. I love my Cruiser and I will do anything to keep her alive. 💔

[@burniesandwich2257]

hey but at least it kinda emanates how one of them old cars looked like… right? right???

[@kimberlycary2722]

Best snow carbive ever owned next my 4WDs!!! Never discount that...

[@kimberlycary2722]

Crap..vest "snow car I've ever owned, next to 4WDs" ..I'm from North Idaho. Tons of snow and storms.

[@kimberlycary2722]

I despise my phone...

[@timmorris6479]

I'm doing mine now it's alsome to do .

[@junedetla3324]

Haha every mechanic dreads to take or deal with it. But it's a sweet little car

[@junedetla3324]

Shows tollerance patience and time. Got to do it yikes. ..

[@ordinarymiracles5959]

Would it be better to pull the engine and replace all the worn parts given its mileage?

[@GregWellwood]

Oh the rabbit hole of engine rebuilding.... You will always find out it's far worse than you thought once its apart, and you can go through a CRAP TON of oil before rebuilding the motor is cost-effective. If it was a "keeper," sure. This is NOT a "keeper."

[@AandAEquipmentService]

I done em before and there east to do as long as you know how to do it , it takes a good day not even that to finish it , nobody wants to do it and it’s not hard if you know how to do em the easy way , and most estimates are $1200-$1700 and shouldn’t cost that much

[@kimberlycary2722]

Who are you and will you do mine?

[@Smities-Gaming-Channel]

😅 goddam The Pt Cruiser is Just A Car You Want To Avoid But Yhea My Grandpa Has One and I Need To Change The Serpentine Belt Spanner Beacuss is Wasnt Rolling Anymore But Damm 3 Hours in And Still No Clue How i Needed To Remove That Mount Cus The Screw For The Roller Is On The Timing Belt Side So I Needs To Come Off 🤦🏼‍♂️ Damm What A Sh!t Car To Work On Wish He Would Have Bought The Car I Told Him To Get 😅 Was A Suzuki Alto 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@alexandrecouture2462]

I remember how 100percentJake on YT had misery with his turbo PT Cruiser. Seems like a very bad design in multiple ways.

[@dsm-6169]

If that's a PT GT.. and the 2.4L motor is stock with the turbocharger on it. Same motor that's in the SRT-4.

[@larrykittell726]

The GT didn't come out until 2003.

[@shakdidagalimal]

I remember when those horrible tin cans came out and the TV wouldn't shut up about them, then they appeared all over town, and a bit later they appeared as rust buckets falling apart then you didn't see them anymore. It was so stupid. It wasn't an old car thing at all - what was it supposed to look like and who cares... all the NPC's had to have one... it rusted out and broke to heck underneath them and I was glad.

[@skootrcootr4073]

I'll admit it, there's something wrong with me . I need help. I love PT's and I can't stop damnit!😢

[@shakdidagalimal]

@@skootrcootr4073 rofl that music playlist you have is something they all have the same "type" of feel to them - that's rather amazing

[@Stressless2023]

I remember when they came out too - Back in 2000 these things were all the rage, in every other music video, companies made limousines out of them, these little things were a sales hit for Chrysler at least for the first few years - Hard to believe today since there's not many left and they're now the complete opposite of "desirable" lol.

[@shakdidagalimal]

@@Stressless2023 The BOOMERS lost on that one - ahahahaha

[@petepeterson4540]

if you had removed the fender and cowl grill your life would have been easier hindsight never buy a pt cruiser. mine went destroying my valves

[@brandonboulton2776]

I genuinely loath the PT cruiser. Hot garbage all around.

[@brandonboulton2776]

@@notsevenfeettall All PT Cruisers went to Seattle and Frisco to die.🤣

[@bubbles8491]

I don't know what you are smoking but this job is in no way 8 hours and $150 an hour. I just did one and it is very simple. Not even sure why everyone is messing with AC lines while doing this job, absolutely no need to remove it. This job was stupid simple!!!

[@skootrcootr4073]

Your hired!

[@franswijnands4022]

they are the ugliest and worst cars ever made