[ImperialCrown]

I would go over and under the car carefully looking for any damage, noises, odors, leaks or unusual wear. Make sure that everything works.
Change the T-350 transaxle fluid with the Mopar ATF+4 or equivalent.
Flush brake, clutch and power steering with fresh fluids. DOT3 for brakes and clutch, ATF+4 for P/S.
Go over the recommended scheduled maintainence for 50Km and 100Km services.
Make sure that you have the owners manual. Your own copy of a service manual wouldn't hurt either.
Replace belts if dry rotted, cracked or glazed.
Inspect the front strut ground straps-to-inner fender to make sure that they are in place.
Check the bushings at the rear of the front control arms to make sure that they haven't slipped down and resting on the crossmember. These will usually rattle over bumps if they have.
If the tires have some distance on them, make sure that the are wearing evenly and quiet on the highway.
There were possible software flash updates for the PCM, TIPM and CCN (cluster) modules to improve the driving experience and prevent false fault code sets.
Use the specified Mopar or OEM parts.

 

[grungerockjeeper]

has the timing belt been changed? 90K is the recommended interval. If not, then Id push good and HARD to get them to do it.

 

[petersterncan]

Hi,

Well I already checked that everything works in the test drive. The tires look new. No odd sounds though the rear drum brakes squeak a little.

I plan on changing the oil and air filter this weekend. May change the spark plugs, wires and PCV hose/valve as well.

Will get the timing belt, coolant, brake fluid and power steering fluid changed and other hoses/belts checked next week. I have to find a mechanic in my area. Can't use my previous mechanic since he's a Saab specialist.

How many KM or miles do you guys normally get out of a tank of gas on your PT Cruisers?

Imperialcrown... you mention changing the transmission fluid. I've never changed the manual transmission fluid in any of my past cars... is this something really necessary? Note that the shifter and clutch feel fine.

Also speaking of air filters... there is the Engine Air Cleaner Filter and there's also a "Make-up air filter". What is this make-up air filter for?

 

[ImperialCrown]

The manual transaxle only takes a little more than a liter of ATF+4. I feel that it's worth changing as a precaution if you don't know the past history of the car or the previous driver's shifting habits.
The manual gearbox fluid is pretty much forgotten as a maintainence item.

 

[petersterncan]

One other thing I'd like to add... Just used my first full tank of fuel... only got around 597KM... which was around 9.1l/100KM (little under 26mpg)... and it was mostly gentle driving. And given that this is a manual base model with no AC, I should be getting better mileage than this. Typically I'm able to match or beat the EPA highway ratings.

Given the mileage and also I've noticed the occasional rough idle, I'm guessing that the engine is crying out for new spark plugs, air filter and other routine maintenance... some of which I'll do on the weekend and the rest to be done by a mechanic near me.

 

[ImperialCrown]

There may be a PCM software update to address rough, erratic idle and a dim 'ck eng' light.
This may be covered by an extended emissions warranty, if it applies to your car. In the states, it's a federally mandated 8/80.
The PT is no fuel economy champion. 2.4L is about as large as a 4 cyl gets. The PT is also heavy and not particularly aerodynamic. My dad's automatic manages 20-23 overall.

 

[petersterncan]

Well I'm in Canada so I'm not sure if it's the same situation here. Gonna see if the mechanic I take it to can do the update... otherwise will get the dealer to do it.

Haven't seen a dim 'ck eng' light... only the occassional little bit of roughness at idle that never lasts long.

Now while the PT Cruiser may be relatively heavy, the Saab I came from weighed 20 pounds more, had a turbo 2L 4cyl that made more power and according to the EPA ratings should use more fuel in the city and about the same on the highway.

That car, driving it the same way as I've driven the PT over the past week, got 10% better fuel mileage on regular fuel (It was a base low-pressure turbo, so 87 octane was fine).

So I still think the PT I have should be capable of better mileage. It will be interesting to see the effect the oil change, air filter, plugs, wires and PCV will have on mileage.

As well... over lunch today, I stopped over at Canadian Tire after checking prices on Rock Auto... man, Canadian Tire is a rip off... For plug wires, they wanted $41 for the cheap ones... $51 for the better ones. $16 for premium wires at Rock Auto. And spark plugs were half the cost and oil filters (Wix) were 1/4 of the cost (bought a 12 pack) at Rock Auto.

 

[coyote2781]

I have a 2006 PT with 83k miles on it. It is also the base manual no a/c. When I bought it I was getting an average 27 mpg on 87 octane, I changed out the plugs with Bosch Platinum +4, standard Duralast wires, air filter, and due to them malfunctioning the cam position sensor and #2 o2 sensor. I now average 29 mpg with mostly city driving and I'm not always friendly to the pedal on the right (the car is really fun over 3000 rpm!). The air pressure in your tires will also greatly affect your mpg. I'm still looking to see if the 2006 pt's had a programming update for the rough idle because mine has been doing it for awhile although it has not affected drive-ability any.