Mechanics, we have a 2001 Chrysler Sebring.Overheated on the highway.?

[jwfmwm]

My 18 year old was driving on the Interstate. She said that the Sebring lost power, wouldn't go above 55 then she smelled something and saw steam. She pulled over. The car had gotten so hot that the cap on the coolent tank melted. All of the other hoses are fine, there is coolant in the reservoir and water in the radiator. We could see where the water was leaking out, after the radiator, but before the thermostat, the hose was not busted. The car will not turn over, it acts as if the battery is dead, drags when turning the switch. We tested the battery, it is fine, but the car will not start. Would a timing belt cause this?

 

[did_u_no_wrong]

Stop trying to start it. Cooling system is possibly clogged, or the radiator fan failed, and the car overheated. She kept driving it until steam actually came out and it's likely there is engine damage.

A shop should be able to assess the damage. At minimum, you'll need a cooling system flush and probably a new thermostat and maybe a new radiator fan (or just a new relay or fuse if the fan itself is okay).

 

[mountianbykr14]

Um your radiator is probably not working and so everything under the hood is over heating, sorry to say it but Sebrings for this year are the top 1 worst reliable cars. my friend has a sebring and i was with him when it happened and when we popped the hood, all the simple plastic caps were almost completely melted so, I hate to say that sebrings arent very good cars because I know that they used to be excelent but I'd recommend getting that radiator check, soon would be best so you don't hurt your car any more than you might have already