04 PT Cruiser Stalling problem

With all this going on and the check engine lite isn't on?

Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech

Yes, that is what upsets me quite a bit is that the light has not came on as of yet. With the light on I could just read the code at autozone and see whats wrong I guess. I wondered if a bad tank of gas could somehow cause these symptoms but not cause the light to come on. Only way I know to get the gas out would be to run it at idle for a while though.

Just a guess but it sounds like you have water in the fuel.

Bob

You may just be experiencing an engine misfire due to a bad plug or wire. The next time drive the vehicle get it hot (operating temp) drive the car about 45 mph and kick it down to 2nd gear and let it coast with foot off the brake and gas pedal for 15 seconds. restart the engine and drive it to see if the check engine lamp comes on and sets a fault code. If the adaptive numerator is not learned the PCM will never set the check engine lite on for a misfire. Let me know what you get.

Glenn

I'm excited to report that I took the fuel hose off the side of the gas tank and drained 12 gallons of gas out of the tank (took forever). In each few gallon bucket that I would empty out I would notice a section of totally clear water pouring out of the bucket. After draining all of the gas out, I filled the PT up with 4 gallons of 93 grade.

Now when I start the car it fired right up with a little sputter. The first time i stepped on the gas instead of the car dying it went from about 1200 rpm to 800rpm and then started moving normally. I drove around the block several times and everything seemed to clear up nicely. I put in a bottle of water remover and a bottle of fuel line cleaner and put some more 93 grade gas in it. This morning I only noticed a sputter one time and that was when I was accelerating to get on the interstate. The car also fired up perfectly this morning.

I called Mapco to complain about the water in my gas but they said they have special equipment that monitors for that and such things were impossible. Liars.

At least Mapco's mistake only cost me about $40.

I'm glad you got it fixed. I would still report it to the proper authorities because I am sure you are not the only person this has happened to. You might even get your money back.

Bob

The engine lite should have still come on!! One more thing, it isn't a good idea to burn high octane fuel in an engine that requires low octane, it can and will cause drivability problems in the long run if you keep using it.

Glenn

I normally have been putting 89 grade in the PT. If I put 87 grade I hear some pinging sometime. Do you recomend sticking with 89?

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87 octane. a slight ping will not cause damage. The use of a higher octane fuel may cause carbon deposits on the pistons and this could cause the engine to ping.

Glenn

Big sticker on the inside of the fuel door also says "premium fuel only".

I agree it should have but it didn't.

Bob

My bad, The thread did not carry over the Turbo engine. Turbos will take a high octane fuel ,do not use 87 on the turbo. I looked up the standard 2.4 litre

Glenn

I had the same problem with a Miata. The drain line was clogged that drains water out of the cavity that houses the gas filler housing. You could see if your car's rain/water drain is clear. Mike