I have the exact same problem. There's a leak right under the pump. I am still hoping it's not the pump itself.
But, boy, did the problems ever start piling up in Nov/Dec!
I don't even know where to begin...
I bought the car last summer at a Chrysler dealership. The previous owner had no records/receipts, so I have no clue what's been done to the car at all. Judging by the interior, not much. I'd never seen an interior so dirty. Clue #1.
This is what's wrong with the car, as far as I can tell:
Engine misfire (rarely, though)
Coolant leak (possibly the pump)
Timing belt needs to be replaced ASAP (it's parched! looks like it's gonna snap any minute now)
My heater doesn't work. Blows cold, then hot for a few minutes, then warm and then cold again.
I probably need new spark plugs and wires
When it's cold outside, the brake pedal feels really hard and I can't break. I have to pump it and depress it like a maniac. Then it's fine and I have no problem braking whatsoever.
Sometimes, the tranny can't seem to pick a gear. It's all over the place. Happens, but rarely.
I have a hole in the exhaust system somewhere. My Sebring sounds like crap.
There's a strong vibration coming from the engine. Sometimes it's so bad, the car's shaking like crazy.
On top of all this, some a$$hole hit my car a few weeks back. I parked it in front of my house one night and the next morning I saw a big dent in the driver's side 1/4 panel, a big fat scratch going from the 1/4 panel all the way to the back + my rearview mirror was busted.
If I didn't lose my mind right there and then - I never will.
God... This is gonna cost me a lot. Still, it might be worth it. The Sebring is awesome. The body is in A1+ condition (no rust anywhere) and it only has 107,000 kms on it.
I owned a 1980 Golf diesel. Nothing e v e r went wrong with it. I gave it to a friend of mine before moving. It had around 430,000kms on it and the engine purred like a cat. No rust anywhere either. A real krautmachine. Made to last forever. This is why I am not used to my car breaking down (I also own a 1999 VW Jetta -- give 'er her oil & gas and don't worry about anything) and I freak out even if it's a minor glitch.
Wow. Well replace your timing belt SOON because if that snaps your engine will need an overhaul. We have ZERO valve clearance so if your belt snaps your pistons will hit the valves and bend them. And if your pistons are weak you could bust the pistons. No good. The heater problem is related to your coolant problem. Get the water pump replaced when you do your timing. The heater will be fine and you misfire might even go away. If you belt is old an worn it might have some stretch to it which can give a misfire due to timing. Plugs and wires are an easy replace, your brake problem might be a little gasket inside of your brake cylinder. Look at the cylinder in the car where it meets the booster, and see if there is any fluid running down on it. If you have to pump your brakes to build pressure, and then it stays fine, it sounds like the seal that keeps pressure during low or non-braking periods. Just pick up a new master cylinder it'll fix the problem. Here's a pic of a generic brake system
The exhaust just needs to be replaced. Get a high flow one And the shaking might be fixed with the timing belt as well. As for the tranny, good luck the A604 is a weak transmission.
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Thanks for your reply! I really appreciate your help.
Could the tranny issue be in any way related to the engine itself (belt, spark plugs, tune-up...)?
I haven't had any major trouble with the tranny. It shifts beautifully and seamlessly. However, if it's really cold outside, it will sometimes be hesitant trying to hit the right gear, but only when going from the 1st to the 2nd. Otherwise it behaves well in the city as well as on the highway.
What do you suggest I replace the stock exhaust with?
Near $830 with tax, labor, and new belts. Not fun.
So the loud ps pump and the change in ehaust tone were explained to me today...sort of. The mechanic says that while the extra noise from the ps pump "isn't normal" he says it's not hurting anything. As for the weird change in tone for exhaust he said it could be due to the new timing belt?!?! Does that not make sense to anyone else here?
Lesson learned: Never go to a local mechanic that just installed a flat screen tv in their waiting room!
More like raping time. I'm sure they'll screw you to get it replaced. I think Ed said it's 800 or something. It's in the thread somewhere.
LOL! Well, I'll buy a new pump myself (of course) and I know a mechanic who'll do it for less than what he usually charges... Labour is CAN$60/hr. I took the car to his shop to get safetied, had the emission test done + he took care of a leak I had...he charged me $70+tax (15%).
The mechanic says that while the extra noise from the ps pump "isn't normal" he says it's not hurting anything. As for the weird change in tone for exhaust he said it could be due to the new timing belt?!?!
sounds like a load of crap to me. he doesn't know why it is doing it. all i can tell you is the only time i have noticed a change in my exhaust tone is when it was running rich. i had a 02 sensor go out and it ate gas. it sounded like crap. i don't see how that could be affected by the timing unless the timing is way off.
as for the power steering, check to see if the mechanic put the timing belt cover on right. the cover rides close to the belt. doubt that's the problem, but he must have screwed something up when he changed the timing belt.
The mechanic says that while the extra noise from the ps pump "isn't normal" he says it's not hurting anything. As for the weird change in tone for exhaust he said it could be due to the new timing belt?!?!
sounds like a load of crap to me. he doesn't know why it is doing it. all i can tell you is the only time i have noticed a change in my exhaust tone is when it was running rich. i had a 02 sensor go out and it ate gas. it sounded like crap. i don't see how that could be affected by the timing unless the timing is way off.
as for the power steering, check to see if the mechanic put the timing belt cover on right. the cover rides close to the belt. doubt that's the problem, but he must have screwed something up when he changed the timing belt.
I didn't understand how a change in exhaust tone could be the new t-belt either except if the timing was off which is what I mentioned earlier in this post, but I'm not throwing any cel's so that shouldn't be the problem.
And I know it HAS to be something those guys did while replacing my water pump cuz these weren't problems before but the guy is telling me not to worry about it That's not what I paid for.
And one thing I realized yesterday is $830 would be around starting price for a used 3.0 based off of what I've seen from posts round here. I've always wanted to swap anyways. Course the more expensive part would be the install. Oh well.
I'd go in there and be a dick to them. Tell them you paid just shy of a grand to get your car done right. And it's not done right. So they need to fix it. Free. If they don't better business bureau.
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Ever since this b.s. started I've more seriously concidered swapping because now I'm not sure if something is seriously screwed up or not. Maybe I should post this somewhere new but I've looked online from several junkyards around here and found one motor out of an 02' Stratus 17,000 miles and the discription was, "like new, needs new oil pan, $450". Is this way cheap? Seems like more would have to be wrong with it to be going for that.
And if I do swap in the near future, am I o.k. with swaping over my new serpinten belts and timing belt, or does that HAVE to be brand spankin' new?
I'd personally use the same belts to save cash. I don't know if the 3.0s have interference or not. Someone else would be better for that swap. But I think 450 is a good price. Hell you don't live THAT far from me, I'd be willing (if I get my saturdays off) to come down and help you out with the swap. Also I'd start a new thread that says "3.0 swap help?"
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And the shaking might be fixed with the timing belt as well. As for the tranny, good luck the A604 is a weak transmission.
That's not what I paid for. 
