Testing for BENT VALVES! Teardown Chrysler 2.4 2010 PT Cruiser

[@waynej747]

The PT Cruiser is proof that just because you can design and build something, doesn’t mean you should!

[@aaryeshg.6526]

Lmao they have designed and built something worse... PT Cruiser convertible. And now I see more of those around in good condition compared to these hatchback models.

[@Jordy-927]

The same designer drew the Chevy HHR, Bryan Nesbitt. Never have trust for a Brian with a Y.

[@danmadison5087]

PT cruiser. aka, the Pinto Turd of the Chrysler corp.

[@mypronouniswtf5559]

@@ClassBLiving64 . Chrysler's are good reliable cars and look great...Like all brands they have some models that are not good looking and some are..Toyota and Honda are the ugliest of the bunch,reliability of those are average(over rated).. Remember unless you were a toddler when these came out people were on a waiting list for these...People in 2000-2001 loved these and went crazy for them.. Not my kind of car but these were the first crossovers,lots of room inside,you sit a little higher on the road all seats fold down for a huge cargo area,neat design... You could also get a 180 hp turbo or 215 and 230 hp Turbo in the GT those stick to the bumper of a 1999-2004 automatic 4.6 Mustang GT..Both mid 6 second 0-60 and high 14 second 1/4 mile for the GT Cruiser.. I own a car dealer and in 2008 or so we raced a Turbo GT cruiser against a Mustang GT automatic,both cars were a few years old with under 30,000(I always buy low mileage cars to sell)..Mustang GT hardly ahead.. I mean all car makers made ugly vehicles Toyota Echo,Yaris Honda Element,Fit,Pilot etc..A lot of ugly 2023 models around especially the weird electric cars very ugly.. PT Cruisers are not the ugliest cars,they were handy useful cars that lots of people put lots of miles on and drove them hard! My dealer I had people who owned these cars want another,for several years I would buy as many as I could..Maintain them they go 200,000 miles easily,neglect them well,you have issues! I am also a X Chrysler and Toyota tech,certified for both companies years of training,education..early 50's now and semi retired/dealer owner..Toyota's do have huge engine and other issues..Chrysler mainly smaller items..many people do not understand!

[@thecman26]

With great power comes great responsibility!

[@systemsrenegade9888]

We all feel your pain ray trying to revive a PT cruiser is a filthy job but some one has to do it mate.

[@TwoWheeledPotato]

while i agree with not putting "lipstick on a pig" it is always a shame when a good car gets scrapped just becuase someone can't be fussed to look things over properly. It's great to see Ray take some time to investigate even if it's a pt cruiser

[@systemsrenegade9888]

@@TwoWheeledPotato true i hope he gets it going again saving the owner some money in the long run .

[@MickayG]

No... nobody should revive any PT cruiser, extinction for this abomination!

[@danielhn93]

@@MickayG Agreed. They're filthy piles of Chrysler garbage. I'd rather revive a 200 than a PT.

[@pmscalisi]

@@MickayGbuy the owner a new car then

[@themeez1000]

Hey Ray, I'm also a Ray, I turned wrenches for many years and one thing I did to make removing sprockets easier was to use a broken timing belt to make a tool for holding the sprockets. Works amazing.

[@vn1500g3]

Had a similar thing happen to a 2004 Chevy Cavalier. Easy fix. Got some new Intake and exhaust valves and seals, lapped the valves in, installed a new timing chain set, and sent it down the road!

[@winstonsmith8441]

Great job. Very interesting video. It seemed to me that when you Googled this engine in the last episode, it was an interference engine, but not between piston and valves, but between intake and exhaust valves. As such, I wouldn't expect the pistons to be damaged from any valve impact unless one of the valves got really mangled.

[@johncooper4637]

When you have a leaky valve on a leak down test it is recommended that you tap the valves to make sure they are seated. Also, I have always loosened the cam bolts in order from outside to inside as recommended in the shop manual. I notice that I Do Cars does it too on his tear downs.

[@andrewgarcia3136]

yeah i'm not convinced this test was performed properly. if the valves are open then you can't tell if theyre bent or not. gotta make sure it's closed

[@eldoradoboy]

@@andrewgarcia3136 doesnt the smoke leak down into the crankcase through the ring gap anyway? so you would see flow on the ball meter but wouldnt necessarily see it in either manifold.. in his case here its probably valves but I do like the idea of tapping them to be sure they are closed esp on an engine that sat for awhile before being torn apart as this one probably did

[@michaelchan8915]

Another great video as usual Ray!!! Interesting to watch this, since I just had a very similar such situation at my workplace. A 2018 Escape 1.5 came in on the hook with the drive belt completely sheared off due to the water pump leaking coolant onto it. Long story short, a new timing belt and water pump later, the engine has zero compression. Using my borescope, I was able to positively confirm ALL intake valves bent.

[@gav3379]

Hey Ray, just did a 08 Cobalt with 2.2L that had the timing chain jump. Bent all the intake valves. I replaced all the valves, new timing set and refinished the head and it runs fine now.

[@aenoymotors]

I've had several of those 2.4 liter Chrysler engines survive timing belt failure. The pistons won't hit the valves on those but what can happen is if the cams are spun the valves on the intake side can hit the valves on the exhaust side. The 2-liter version of that engine though is piston to valve interference.

[@Jmg831]

Good info

[@Macabri_2k10]

from last video Ray looked up info on the engine and it clearly stated it is a semi interference, the piston and valves don't interfere as the pistons never cross the path of the valves, however apparently the valves (intake and outlet) can touch and bend in certain conditions

[@dbutcher84]

​@@Macabri_2k10I looked it up also and it does appear to be only semi-interference, so I'm still lost on how there would be damage when it appears like the belt held the cams in time with each other.

[@blahorgaslisk7763]

@@Macabri_2k10 But the question is if the camshafts ever slipped their timing. The belt was stripped in a way that suggests they didn't necessarily do that as it was the cranks shaft that had stripped the belt. But at the same time you have to wonder why it resistance was so high that the belt stripped. If the cam shafts slipping their timing had the valves interfering with each other then that could be what caused the belt to stripp at the camshaft.

[@Macabri_2k10]

@@dbutcher84 we don't know the exact circumstances in which the belt failed, was it running, was it on an engine start etc. Ray also did not check if the cams where still in time he just turned them but did not put them on any mark to check, maybe it's backwards and something with the cams or valves failed and caused stripping down at the crank?!

[@winschmitt4919]

I loved my old PT Cruiser! Bought it new, did timing belt and water pump at about 85k and sold it to my stepson at 145k. He drove it until 225k before he sold it, still running.

[@mikec2111]

When doing the smoke test it is worth also watching the oil feeds to the head. Doesn’t always work but can indicate piston damage. I have seen a hole punched through lightweight pistons before. Similarly once the cams are out but before you pull the head, a compression test can be useful (hand turning the engine first to ensure all bent valves are out of the way.) The results and a wet test can confirm no lower end damage. It can be a bear to rebuild a head only to start up and find damaged rings, damaged main bearings etc. A trick I have also used is to “bounce each valve with a rubber hammer as it both fully seats ok valves and shows the bent valves. Of course, depending on how the valve lifters work, you can often spot a bent valve by finding slack rockers before removing the cams. All investigations are quick and we’ll worth it before starting dismantling further and high cost.

[@willarddunn8552]

I seen where a valve broke it was spun around in the cylinder and pounded it into the piston like a nail with out damaging any thing else in Corvair engine.

[@jonyrock]

​@@willarddunn8552seen the same in a 2004 hyundai sonata 2.4l

[@gcrauwels941]

A few taps on the valves to make sure they're seated, plus a leakdown test to be absolutely sure is the only thing I'd do at this point.

[@scrappy7571]

Or just scrap it right away. Junk when it was new.

[@jonsworld5307]

compression test on last video was 0 psi

[@gcrauwels941]

@@jonsworld5307 You can't do a compression test with no timing belt. 😆

[@tedjohnson64]

True, but… that compression test turned out to be invalid because… the timing belt was stripped. So the crankshaft was turning when the intake or exhaust valves were (most likely) open, so no pressure could build up in the cylinder.

[@gordonwelcher9598]

I don't see any destruction! I want to see pistons popping, crankcases cracking, valves crushing and bearings spinning!

[@terryrobertson8382]

I know that timing chains can fail, but I prefer them over timing belts 100%.

[@shane250]

Of course, because: 1. They RARELY fail. 2. They usually just stretch with time, and will show plenty of non-catastrophic symptoms that they need to be replaced (cam\crank correlation faults, clicking while idling, lack of power, etc).

[@stevewhite3424]

There are literally millions of timing belt based cars running around american roads. When replaced at the appropriate time they are just fine. Replacing g aiming belt is also typically far easier and cheaper.

[@rogerfleury3591]

139th! GOOD MORNING RAY AND THE WIFE UNIT! And NEVER forget the two new employees! This, along with them all, PT Cruiser, is a P.O.S.! Roger in Pierre South Dakota

[@williamjones4483]

Timing belts are an abomination as are interference engines.

[@williamjones4483]

@@stevewhite3424 The engineers at Chrysler or whoever designed this engine could have just as easily specified timing chain instead of a belt. Timing chains will typically last three times as long as a timing belt and as someone else said they give advance warning they are going to fail.

[@samishiikihaku]

@10:20 - Ray you say in the video "I know the compressor is a little loud..." but I could hear you perfectly fine, and the compressor sounded like it was more in the BG than anything. Maybe headphone users might think other wise? On a PC with speakers, that compressor didn't make any difference to hearing you. For future reference!

[@Knight_of_NI]

Hot cup of coffee and a broken cruiser with Ray, it's gonna be a good day (especially since I don't own a cruiser) 😂😂😂

[@suegray4959]

I am always amazed as how you handle difficult issues on anything you work on. Thank you for your efforts. I also love watching your wife unit. I look forward to seeing what you do everyday. Keep up the good work. God bless you and your family.

[@raven4k998]

disassemble no disassemble🤣

[@RenegadesGarage]

Rainman Ray's Repairs.. With the engine being somewhat low mileage even if the valve are bent it is worth just getting the head reworked and install new timing belt kit. It would still be cheaper than a new vehicle especially if the body and interior are in relatively decent shape.

[@winterburden]

PT Cruiser is the greatest car of the 00's, there's none better.

[@jasonpeace1991]

There is almost an entire comment section that will disagree with you brace yourself

[@winterburden]

@@jasonpeace1991 I ain't reading it 🤷‍♀️

[@ErikssonTord_2]

You need to care for it very, very well, or it will blow itself up!

[@marioluigi6024]

​@ErikssonTord_2 Way more reliable than a a mid 2000s Hemi

[@georgegonzalez2476]

I hade a bit of good luck. My 1985 Acura Integra broke its timing belt at highway speed. Only 77,000 miles! I had it towed to our favorite repair shop and they called with a tinge of surprise in their voice-- no damage although it is an interference engine. Not quite sure how that can be but we'll accept it.

[@dave6199]

Well worth the time to check for bent valves, those smoke machines are pretty handy

[@raven4k998]

they are magic

[@Lower985]

From a no experience do it yourselfer, I appreciate all the explanations. You make it look easy. Thank you.

[@RJTC]

I'd second @brianspencer6397 suggestion - full air pressure and tap each valve a couple of times to clear anything from the seats. A 0.5mm aperture is not much of a leak, I'd expect vastly more with bent valves.

[@averyalexander2303]

I was thinking the same thing, especially because quite a bit of that air is certainly going through the rings too since they will always leak a little. With such a small leak, it seems way more likely to me that there's some surface rust on the valves and seats from sitting or slight debris. Especially with Florida humidity, it doesn't take long for valves to develop surface rust like brake rotors and it only takes a tiny spec for a valve to not seal perfectly.

[@michaelellis2748]

Many of the comments have pointed out that piston to valve collision was not a real issue, just valve to valve collision. But the belt did not snap, the teeth got tore off at the crankshaft. Therefore cams were still synched. So once we saw that it is likely no valve collision happened. At that point it was worth replacing the timing belt and see how it runs. Didn't need to even remove the valve cover. If you went so far as to remove the valve cover. Verify the cams are still in synch. If not, are any showing a exhaust and intake valve on the same cylinder open? This is useful data. In my opinion the whole smoke thing was just silly. I think all it showed was which valve in each cylinder had the worst seal. I doubt any valve in that engine had a good seal.

[@danielgriffith7694]

Excellent diagnosis 👍 might add. Plug the tailpipe with a towel to force the smoke out the 0 2. Hole for better viewing 🤔. Great video

[@MrGGPRI]

TIMING BELTS: programmed destruction; TIMING CHAINS: extended program destruction; TIMING GEARS: competent engineering and long engine life-- SEE: 1932+ Ford V8, 1929+ Chev Stovebolt "6" etc..

[@normanphilo2915]

Love your channel. So informative on auto repair with step by step instructions. Sure has taught me a lot about patient's on fixing my stuff. Keep up the expert videos. Watching everyday.

[@donovanwilliams5424]

I got my 98 Dodge Neon ACR for $675 because of a timing belt pulley failure. A head job later, and I still have it. Great little car

[@BlackOpsJuJu]

A Leak Down Test would be much more accurate so you could see the amount of leak down that is Happening No engine will have perfect sealing with 0 percent loss. Five to 10 percent loss indicates an engine in great to good running order. An engine between 10 and 20 percent can still run OK, but it'll be time to keep an eye (or ear) on things. Above 20 percent loss and it may be time for a teardown and rebuild

[@williamjones4483]

I would have just gone ahead and pulled the head. You have to visually inspect everything anyway. I don't see the point of doing a smoke test here.

[@Cragified]

True but the problem is that is because piston rings cannot seal completely. So you'll always have some leak and flow into crankcase. But leaking through the valves they should leak only incredibly small amounts on an engine with a lot of run time still on any engine that is multiport injection and not GDI as the fuel sprayed at the back of the valves keeps the valve and seat clean. The smoke coming out the intake clearly indicates the valve is no longer sealing on the seat. It may still run but it's got issues that are only going to get worse. If this was mine I'd certainly throw a belt on it, time it, and then rotate it to see if it rotates freely and then see if it runs. But as a mechanic like Ray I'd never suggest doing that to a customer as if it has an issue that lead to the stripped belt such as a valve hanging in the guide etc. it's going to come right back and screw you.

[@BobPicc1]

Don't you have to rotate the engine manually in order to get each cylinder to TDC (all valves closed) in order to do a leak down test for that cylinder? How would you do that if the timing belt is broken?

[@Cragified]

@@williamjones4483 You have to look at the whole picture. If the valves were still sealing he could save the customer money. Pull the head and not only does it get more expensive to do a guarantee level job but now you have an engine open to the elements you do not really want to store outside and Ray has a very small shop. One of the advantages that Car Wizard has is a giant building with lots of storage capacity.

[@BlackOpsJuJu]

@@BobPicc1 you can turn cams with broken belt instead of turning crank

[@DukeBlade-ol6pm]

Thanks for doing the smoke valve leak test for the curious amongst us. In future, remove radiator cap and oil stick to also check for coolant and crankcase leaks in case there is a blown head gasket. Doesnt matter for this repair since head coming off anyway. Waiting to see how pistons look after head off. Break bad news to customer that no start led to repair for timing belt, then head, then motor mount, then battery. See if more repairs needed once engine started. Tough break for customer. Repairing older car can be worth not having to buy new and expensive junk at dealership. My older cars are more reliable than my newer cars.

[@Zupdood2]

Very good videos, Ray! I’m really enjoying watching these. I’m really glad you got your own shop.

[@trustme2720]

I hope that head can be fixed. It's really satisfying to hear you proclaim "It's alive!" after starting a repaired car. 🥳

[@Cygnus-Phi]

Every time a PT Cruiser dies and gets removed from the roads it heals the world a little bit more.

[@stevetheriault4164]

GREAT COMMENT ,,THOSE CARS ARE THE BIGGEST PIECES OF S??T

[@kronos0316]

Yes and YES!

[@dcomputers]

Jt the car guy would disagree. He is a pt cruiser lover

[@MrMustangMan]

every time a bell rings, a PT Cruiser gets it's wings......

[@rallywagon261]

I kinda disagree too. Mostly just because the GT makes a great sleeper.

[@GeorgeKennedy-u4r]

If you don't have a smoke machine you can just take some tubing and a cigar, hook up the tubing and use the cigar to blow smoke into it and see where it comes out. After you find said leak you can then sit down and enjoy the rest of the cigar.

[@Wakeupandsniffthecoffee]

Motor City Mechanic did a great series on checking, troubleshooting testing with various different tools. It's at least a five part video because he breaks it down by different areas. The end result was going in and replacing valves that had been bent and all the steps to do the head and valve. A great series for a PT guy like I am. Someone that knows the steps he uses can probably bypass many of the steps, but it is very useful for it's lessons on troubleshooting and the ways to use the test equipment. While this one had a defective timing belt, the one he did was sort of surprising, but came down to a previous mechanic not paying attention to details. So many mechanics will just tell customers that a PT needs a new engine or something that is obviously too expensive to justify. That means there are a bunch for sale cheap and like mine, can be returned to their glory without breaking the bank, IF you are able to do the work. I'm no mechanic, but have tackled jobs on all my cars because of youtube channels like Ray's Repairs.

[@andysaunders3708]

It's such a good series. They're an evil car. I own a low mileage one, and everything just goes wrong, because it can. Bit like a Jeep....

[@roywall8169]

Every time a PT cruiser gets scrapped, an angel gets its wings. Horrid car.

[@brianspencer6397]

Why not simply connect the compressed air coupling to the compression gauge extension tube, and listen at the inlet ports for hissing noises? You would probably also detect air hissing at the exhaust tailpipe, too with 100+ psi pushing air past any leak. (Make sure each piston is at BDC when you check the cylinder, or the compressed air will vigorously get it there...)

[@adampyro834]

because he likely wanted the visual reference for us. remember he isnt just a mechanic but a youtuber too, he does his best to show and explain things to us. both are good tests though

[@timjohnun4297]

Cylinder leakage test, exactly what I was thinking, too. Adampyro is right though, the smoke does make for better viewing

[@norfolkngood8960]

That doesn't make a very good video, that's why😅

[@greghanlon2235]

Bingo. A simple compression test then air hold fitting to pinpoint issue would have been so much quicker. Listen for air hiss at intake, tailpipe, pcv (ring issue) and radiator (air bubbles). Old school, simple and quicker.

[@frankvucolo6249]

This is a visual leak down test. Very cool.

[@blandrooker6541]

"Where's the kaboom? I was expecting an earth shattering kaboom!!!" - Marvin

[@dannyoaks85]

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. If it weren't for Chrysler, my tools would rust

[@MrMustangMan]

🤣

[@Baldy.TheOnlyOne]

2:02 "We're gonna test it first, and condemn it later - if necessary" I like that!

[@MrRightNow]

You should've done a leak down test. Valves don't have a perfect compression seal and there will always be a leak, the question is how much! A leak down tester would show you that. Also, to see if the exhaust valve is leaking you could look into the exhaust pipe to see if there's smoke coming from there

[@SomeRandomHuman717]

@16:26 Wait Ray! Punches are not made to take side loads!!!!! @16:31 Nevermind. @17:24 Wait Ray!!! It's on backwards!!!!! @17:38 Nevermind.

[@carolb9422]

Can't help but wonder if just putting a new timing belt on there and seeing how this old car runs wouldn't have been just as easy and instructive as the smoke test. I believe in this car only the valves potentially interfere. When the crank tore the teeth off that section of belt, the cams were still in time so valves were probably OK.

[@hotpuppy1]

Parts and labor issue. You don't want to spend $500+ only to find the head is junk.

[@michaelpressman7203]

Better testing than investing in parts.Have a great day

[@mickeymorgan4672]

​@@michaelpressman7203A timing belt is about$20. How much is labor?

[@hjsn1]

You have to take the side motor mount off(which is quite a bit harder than it seems), the crank pulley, the outside timing cover and other stuff I forget about from the many Neons I've done. If you have all the tools out and know exactly what you need, you can get to the timing belt and have the head and the tensioner off in about 2 hours but there are a lot of close quarters issues that homemade or cut tools help with. I once did 2 of the neons back to back so I know from experience. It's not a fun experience either. I have replaced the bent valves though. Had my Neon break a timing belt and didn't bend one valve. A friend's Neon timing belt broke and it bent 10 valves. Simple to take them out since you have the head off already then have it machined. I've done a total of 5 Neons and the first one was the only one that didn't have bent valves.

[@wessterns7159]

@@mickeymorgan4672 Lots... essentially remove the engine.. remove all but the trans torque mount.. lower engine to remove lower bolts, raise engine remove Upper bolts, lower engine to remove more lower bolts, remove an dreplace water pump and belt tensioner... etc.. looking at 8rs book time.. 4 hrs actuall if fast and lucky

[@b.powell3480]

Had a pt cruiser years ago, had the water pump replaced by a good shop, who, also replaced the timing belt, since the water pump is right there with the timing belt !

[@billhennie]

I love your diagnostic skills!!! Great teaching tool here, Ray!!! Love your use of the smoke machine.

[@willarddunn8552]

if the piston hit the values there is a possible bent rod also. I worked on a Chevy 6 were a very small screw went into a cylinder. the screw was in bedded in the top of piston. Pull that piston out to replace it . Checked the rod and it was bent..

[@realmccoy7503]

Maybe hitting the valves with a hammer could loosen up some carbon on it which also could be the case and see if the smoke stil is similar, but mainly tapping the valves is with stuck valves of cars sitting for decades, anyhoe did like the video did do a thumb up and will see you on the next one.........

[@DF-zp1os]

I put 300k miles on a Chrysler 2.4l of 1995 vintage. The engine was problematic with headgasket oil leaks until chrysler came out with the multi layer steel head gasket. Overall it was a good engine. The mls headgasket was installed at 120k and never was a problem after.

[@TylerFoster6169]

Hey Ray I am new to your channel. And I like your videos man thank you what you do. And have time effort for these videos

[@chrisval78]

Don't need a smoke machine, just connect shop air to each cylinder and you'll hear the compressed air getting past the valves into both the intake and exhaust system.

[@frankbiz]

Great video Ray, from the looks of it this person neglected their engine. If they changed the oil every 5k miles and changed the timing belt early on it probably would be fine.

[@SwervingLemon]

Replacing the timing belt on a Cruiser is a fool's errand. At least on most of them, you can't replace it without pulling the engine, the cost of which is usually more than the value of the car. Even if you do it yourself to save on labor cost, you still have the problem that you own a PT Cruiser.

[@rael5469]

When is the right time to change the timing belt on a Chrysler 2.4 ? Is it the same engine as in a Jeep Patriot?

[@CalculatedRiskAK]

@@rael5469 Rubber timing belts I would recommend 60,000 miles (100,000 km) at the maximum between replacements.

[@rael5469]

@@CalculatedRiskAK Thanks. Do you now if the engine in this video is the same 2.4 as in my Jeep Patriot?

[@electropentatonic]

I would agree if this wasn't a PT cruiser

[@pcsplus2011]

I want to bring my van to you. I have taken it to multiple dealers and mechanics and no one can figure out the problem. The problem is the engine was replaced about a year ago with a remanufactured long block. The engine runs great and the van drives just fine however at any speed above 65 but below 80 pecifically in the 65 to 80 mph range the check engine light comes on and begins flashing as if its experiencing a severe misfire, however the engine still runs smoothly and doesnt fell like it's misfiring at all. When i get it over 80mph it stops. The only thing i can think of is it may need a crankshaft postion sensor variance relearn which can be performed on a GM tech 2 scanner however the local mechanics and dealers don't seem to know what i'm talking about and cant provide the service for me.

[@stephenpugh3507]

Ray high tensile punches can't take a hammering length wise, however the way you had in that configuration.....without a doubt was doomed to fail, case hardened steel is tough but brittle at the same time.

[@MrMustangMan]

🎯

[@Grumpy-sy7wr]

Had a similar neglected belt on a Mitsubishi, which was a full interference engine, unlike this valve taps valve example. Purchased a belt kit, 4 exhaust valves and a top end gasket set. $140 in parts. Nothing else was damaged, 8 hours labor, without any fancy shop tools and it lived to buzz around for another lifetime.

[@gottalovetheabba]

Why do you have to replace the engine for bent valves. Why not just replace the head or just replace the valves?

[@bobby9195]

I feel your pain changed the water pump on my ex wife's PT bruiser a big pain in the butt,😮had to jack motor up then down then up then down, finally got it what a nightmare 😅

[@electrake2063]

@32:50, all I normally do is put about 30 psi of shop air into each cylinder and listen to each port, be it the intake OR the exhaust pipe. U can always hear the rush of air if a valve is not sealing. No need for a smoke machine. You could have saved a lot of work by pressurizing cylinders 1&4 with everything assembled, testing each on the compression stroke with shop air. Could have been done in 20 min.

[@jimandrews2967]

I have always used the compressed shop air for this test. If the exhaust valve is leaking you can hear it OR just use a paper dollar over the end of the tailpipe to check for flow.

[@kronos0316]

Man, Florida really loves that PT loser I've never seen so many PT until this channel. I love it when ray reminds me of my auto shop teacher, so informative.

[@aliabdallah102]

Buncha old fuckes love em, Florida’s full of em.

[@kdhuff1]

My neighbor has 2 parked in his yard, Lol.

[@natepeterson7145]

Illinois loves pt losers also at least a local vet calls his that.

[@Columbus1152]

You won't see them often because they're usually at the shop being fixed.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

Florida has an excess of miserly geezers you folks up north keep sending their way.

[@anthonyjones5711]

All your videos are very good but this one is excellent. Thank you.

[@kkampy4052]

Anything more than an oil change is worth more than a PT Crusher. Most manufacturers put flats on the camshafts so they can be held for pulley removal.

[@larryhutchens7593]

I have that same engine in a 2002 Chrysler Voyager & had to build a tool to hold the cam sprocket in place to remove the nut. Welded 2 pieces of 3/8"x1 1/4" flat steel into an L shape then ren 2 bolts through them so that the bolts would engage the holes in the sprocket. Tried a strap wrench but it wasn't very effective & I was afraid of moving the cam too much. Timing belt change on the mini van was difficult, Cruiser has to be worse.

[@castinn]

The amount of smoke coming out of the first cylinder (cyl 4) is likely not the main problem. It is leak yes, but based on the volume of smoke, it is a minor leak. Why not just do a leak-down test.? There is a position at TDC on #1, where both camshafts have all the valves closed if the marks on the cam gears are in the proper position for putting on a new timing belt. Not really necessary to take out the camshafts or even remove the valve covers. And you can find out if it is intake, exhaust, piston/rings, or head gasket.

[@legogummybear5]

Hello Ray from Australia. Keep up the good work! If you polish a turd, it's still a turd 🙂

[@norcal715]

At least the turd will be "Nice and Shiny!"

[@squiggyg.8415]

Do you have to watch the video upside down?😎it’s a good thing the earth is in the way or you’d have most of his nuts, bolts, flashlights and tools 😎

[@ralph5476]

@@squiggyg.8415 I had a few bolts over on the last job. They were probably his.

[@edzimdahl1158]

NOT A ZERO clearance engine, piston WILL NOT HIT VALVES! there does exist the absolute smallest million to one chance that if cams jump time that a intake valve may hit a exhaust valve,,, I currently have 3 pt's that I keep going

[@lylejohnston4125]

This motor is NOT AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE. I worked at a Chrysler dealer during their whole build span. I've replaced too many T-belts that were broken and NEVER found a bent valve in one. I call them Pity Cruisers. One family broke the T-belt and let the car sit about 6 months while saving up the money to repair. The boss said to put a belt on temporarily to see it bent valves. I told him they're not an interference engine and went and put a whole T-belt kit in it. Hit the key and it fired right up, did the starting flare and died. Checked and it had zero compression??? The boss was pissed and said to pull off the head. I found that while the car was parked for those months, The carbon on the pistons had dried and flaked loose from the pistons. When I started it, the flakes flew off and stuck in the exhaust valves but there were no bent valves. Boss was still pissed because that's the way he was.

[@brucemadden1626]

Still don't know why you don't clean the engine/whatever BEFORE working on it to lessen the chance of harmful debris, etc. falling into places that can get harmed? For example, at 15:30 one can see metal flakes flying off the surface interface potentially lodging into the open valve train assembly(which thankfully is bad anyway)

[@kevink8481]

All that work and all you needed was a borescope.

[@samvalentine3206]

Fun to mix things up and try a different way, perhaps? But I was thinking the same thing...

[@kevink8481]

@@samvalentine3206 Time is $$$!!

[@m.g.540]

Bent valves are not the end, most heads can be rebuilt and the pistons might get nicked, but its not terminal generally unless it happened at highway speeds, start up belt failure is usually repairable with some new valves fitted.

[@geraldyates8958]

This is a great idea to find if there’s bent valves. An easier and faster way would be to remove the timing belt, install a new one, and rotate the engine to TDC on #1, then go in the firing order and do a leak down test. This way you don’t have to remove the the valve cover and all if the other components. This way you can tell the customer what’s up a lot sooner without all the labor. Because they would be out of this $ if they don’t want it fixed.

[@Babalon48]

I was thinking something very similar, only in a way that would skip the time and part cost for installing a new belt. Not to judge or critique, but to help save Ray some of his valuable time. Try to just compression/smoke check one cylinder at a time, look into the spark plug holes to see if/which piston(s) may be dangerously close to the top, and then wrench the cams into a closed valve position. Slowly and carefully check each cylinder one at a time. What a nightmare engine to do a compression leak test on the way Ray did it, my sympathy and respect to you for going the distance on this one for an honest diagnosis good sir.

[@wessterns7159]

Have you ever replaced a timing belt on a PT.. Sorry but while on some vehicles that might be a diagnostic tool but on a pt to replace the belt is not fast or easy.. Accessing the top end as Ray did is the optimal way to "test" for leakage

[@geraldyates8958]

@@wessterns7159 I haven’t. And if it’s a total pain, I would’ve maybe put it in time by the marks without installing a belt and tried it this way with all 4cyl. I haven’t ever worked a 2.4 Chrysler. But on other cars like a Subaru, Honda, etc. you could check the valve lash to see if it’s excess. A bent valve will have a lot of lash

[@craigstubbs1991]

A leaking valve(s) doesn't mean a bent valve. A lot of cars on the road have valves that leak. I can't believe that you don't have a cylinder leak down tester that would show you if it's at 20% leakage or 100% leakage.

[@slim56]

Just think of all the money they saved on oil changes and timing belt replacement. 😅

[@MrMustangMan]

no kidding.!!!!!!!

[@robertrusso2064]

I was not surprised when your pin broke. I use long bolts wit the threads ground off. Also having some scraps of wood can be used to jam the cam gears and loosen both cam bolts at the same time.

[@MrATOMBOMB420]

You're not accounting for a little bit of pressure going down through the rings you're getting a little tiny bit of flow on those other cylinders because it's going down through the rings number two and number three are most likely going down past the rings why don't you do the correct test and do the leak down

[@rodadams2642]

No question about it fantastic video One of the better ones I've seen on KZbin.

[@chrishaas3160]

I thought when PT Cruisers broke down, they were thrown away.

[@FLYBOY-eh5th]

I would.

[@happymanharp1378]

for wispy dark smoke, I find that a laser pointer is excellent for spotting any airborne particulates. If you see the beam, there's something there.

[@jimmyv5730]

Could you use a Boroscope or would that just let you see the pistons.

[@EricVonHunter]

Could only see the pistons.

[@blockbertus]

@@EricVonHunter But you could see impact points from the valves if both kissed.

[@EricVonHunter]

​@@blockbertusRight but his method will show confirmed leaking valves.

[@blockbertus]

@@EricVonHunter that is true

[@legionofanon]

The make borescopes that have side cameras, but does Ray have one of those?

[@eddieMurphy11111]

After all these years of doing motors which i do not do any more to old with a very bad back i did not know that hole in the cam could be used for that so thank you ray and this episode was very informative . thanks for the video

[@duncancremin1708]

Right at the start, “It’s really not in horrible shape!” You’re having a laugh! It came out of the factory in horrible shape! Just like Ford’s Edsel, one should be kept in preservation, as a warning to future generations. The rest of them need to be gone, as soon as possible. I can’t believe I’m about to spend time watching Ray commit such a crime, subjecting innocent road users to this thing once again. First time I ever hoped he’d fail. In all seriousness, however, if the owner likes it enough to pay for this, then I actually do hope it’s not wasted effort. No accounting for taste, after all, and if I don’t like what I see, I can always look at something else. But I genuinely don’t like PT Cruisers. Ugly, impractical and uneconomic, not to mention not very pedestrian friendly, if you’re unlucky enough to get hit by one.

[@timjohnun4297]

People thought they were cool because they looked like the ZZ Top car 🤣

[@larrybe2900]

With retro behind us there may not be many future efforts. The PT Cruiser is a truck for emissions.

[@williamjones4483]

Back when these vehicles first came out the wife and I were at our local Chrysler dealer shopping around for something used but not too old. WE had just about settled on a Dodge Dakota pickup truck and a salesperson came up to us and said they had this brand new PT cruiser on the showroom floor that someone had ordered and didn't take delivery of. Salesperson tried to get us to buy it and we said thanks, but no thanks. Even then the reputation of these things was starting to be known.

[@curtishorton6163]

Ever owned one?

[@richceglinski7543]

Ray I just did that test yesterday on a 05 PT cruiser. With the belt on I was able to remove the caps and raise the cams enough to sneak the cam followers out. Then I put the caps back on and tighten them slowly with the electric ratchet. I wanted it to stay in time because I was putting shop air 130 psi in the holes to see if air bubbles came out the coolant neck

[@beardydave926]

Just found "I do cars" channel which seems to do Rays job but without the hastle of having a vehicle body in the way and without the need to rebuild the engine. He also sometimes has issues with gravity.

[@Drekulviin]

15:47 That's how people come to think that the mechanic upsale them. "Look honey the mechanic keep finding stuff to repair on our car" "Yeah we went from 500$ repair to 3700$, he try to screw us for sure"

[@fhuber7507]

Interference design engine + timing BELT = someone kick that engineer.

[@kampar82]

I would kick the owner. The timing belt is a regular mileage or time based maintenance component.

[@melvinmcfly4498]

Timing chains & guides do the same thing all the time

[@EricVonHunter]

​@@melvinmcfly4498On American vehicles or fake American like anything Stellantis.

[@EricVonHunter]

​@@melvinmcfly44982002 Corolla with 224,000 enters the chat. Chain is just fine.

[@melvinmcfly4498]

@@EricVonHunter many cars are just fine with timing chains, but some aren’t, like Audis or pre 2002 jaguar v8s. But yeah I think chains are generally less likely to engine grenade without a severe design flaw.

[@tipetu]

Extra tip, If the piston rings were bad the smoke would seep from the block to the oil drain-passages in the head.

[@md2k8]

Do not ever buy any Chrysler PT Cruiser, because they are the worst vehicles in history.

[@dbeckley43]

Ray I was just wondering why you didn't do a leak down test instead to show where the air was flowing from the valves, seems it would have been easier to find the leaking area rather than watching for smoke.

[@peterneal7160]

All you had to do was take a plug out and put a log screwdriver down to get an idea of where the piston is to try and get them roughly inline by gently turning the Crank then you could turn the Cams as you want to shut the valves! and do a Cylinder Leakage test! Done loads of these on Neons Cirrus and Stratus ect!

[@SeanONeill13]

22 year old PT here. Running fine. Regular maintenance is key.

[@rocknewtonfilsterwilly7364]

I have a 100k on mine and it still gets rubber in 2nd.

[@kevincurry4735]

Happy Thursday Ray. Teacher says when a PT Cruiser is retired to the salvage yard that an Angel Technician will earn his wings. 🪽

[@rayshutsa6690]

This video was very educational and entertaining. It shows us how you diagnose if there are problems with the valves.

[@ghettsumm7949]

The PT Cruiser and the Dodge Neon were built on the same platform, and you hardly find either one of them driving down the road anymore.

[@murraymadness4674]

Nonsense, I seem them everyday here, there are like 2 dozen for sale still running. Do you live in the rust belt, in which case, no car from 2005 will still be on the road.

[@boopunn]

I prefer a leakdown tester myself but I never thought of using smoke for that purpose. With a leakdown tester you can usually hear the air coming through the intake or out the tailpipe.

[@hotpuppy1]

Stick a bore scope down the plug holes and check piston tops for valve indention marks. Also tap the valve stems with a hammer to make sure the valves are actually closed and seated. Carbon or rust from sitting may be causing valve to not seat fully.

[@beezul]

It's been mentioned several times in the past 2 videos that this is a non-interference (or semi-interference) engine, so the valves will NEVER crash into the piston tops when the belt snaps. However, being semi-interference, the valves WILL smack into each other (intake to exhaust) when the belt snaps and the cams get out of time with each other.

[@michaelpressman7203]

Excellent diagnostic test procedure . Have a great day

[@Hugo_Overthere]

Work cost vs car value isn't the only consideration for lots of mechanic customers. Work cost vs car replacement cost is another valid consideration. The problem for a mechanic then is, how much to trust the customer for payment. If you haven't dealt with the customer before, and the work cost vs car value sum is negative, then a large deposit seems in order.

[@sanchocloset5987]

I'm getting flashbacks of my wife's pt cruiser. I really hated working on it because there's absolutely no room for anything

[@musketman7804]

For a car some here say is so bad, you sure do see a lot of them on the road. My mom's PT Cruiser was totaled in a wreck but she loved the car so much she paid to have it fixed above and beyond what the insurance would pay.

[@SeanBZA]

Same engine mount used on the Chrysler Neon, and it is a pretty expensive bracket to replace when it fails. Ended up getting it remoulded with new rubber, for considerably less than the cost the agents wanted for it. Mount was almost half the value of the vehicle.

[@wolfgangendemann5302]

"$cheiße" with absolutely no American accent at 16:40. Perfect pronunciation!

[@johnstuart3851]

An adjustable wrench closed down over a cam lobe will hold the camshaft against rotation while loosening and retightening the cam sprocket bolts.

[@challenger2ultralightadventure]

I don't have a smoke machine, but I have a "leak down" tester, which would have shown the same results. You may consider getting one. Cheers from Winnipeg.