Neon Problems

Hello guys,

I am trying to buy a car. and i found this 98 Neon with 85,000 mileage with a really good price.

my friend told me that dodge always has big problems.

so, i need help here.... should i buy the car ?

I've heard that b4 too about neon's. the only problem I had w/ mine was a spark plug misfiring, but that was easily remedied w/ new spark plugs. but mine's a 2000 and I think they had remodeled it for that year, not sure if it's a second or third generation. test drive it and see if you like it (I love mine), and if you notice any problems then don't buy that particular car. just don't go and say that ALL neons are bad if you find one that has problems. the one thing I can think of that your friend may be referring to is I have read that the engine mount for a neon isn't very strong at all and if you drive it hard (spinning out, taking curves way too fast) then it could break the engine mount, which could make some problems. hope that helps!

Originally posted by the Count
my friend told me that dodge always has big problems.

Your friend doesn't know much about Dodge. Let me guess, he also thinks his favorite car brand NEVER has problems?

so, i need help here.... should i buy the car ?

Do you like the car?

Alot of it depends on how well it's been maintained. Depending on the build date the headgasket may be the older revision (composite) that is known to leak, that is if it hasn't been replaced with the correct gasket already. 85,000 is about time to replace the timing belt if it hasn't been done already. Chrysler say their good until 105k but if the belt breaks you will be out alot more money than it would have cost to replace the timing belt. At that mileage it is about time to perform some routine maintenance if you want to keep it in good shape.

Only other real problem is the rough start/idle that will trip the CEL but there is a TSB for it. Chrysler suggests changing the valve springs to a new revision that is a bit stiffer. I've had the rough start problem occasionally since it had 20,000 miles on it. Comes and goes but it seems to average about 4 times a year.

Assuming no maintenance has been done ever then I would suggest
-Tune up. New plugs (Champion RC9YC) new wires, air filter, pcv valve, new radiator cap. Flush the cooling system.

-Timing belt. While your in there might as well change the water pump and accessory drive belts while your at it. Timing belt is $45, water pump is $45 and the alternator belt is roughly $15 and PS/AC belt is $4. Some people suggest replacing the tensioner pulley and hydraulic tensioner. Those parts are a bit pricy. That decision you'll have to make on your own.

- Head gasket. If it hasn't been replaced and was built before 11/98 then it is probably already leaking or will soon. Check the back driver side of the head. Thats where they leak. If your a decent mechanic figure on 2 days and about $300 in parts.

-There are a few more things that would be associated with any car with this mileage that is ready to be replaced but you get the idea now anyways.

OR, you could just drive it until it breaks then repair. Buying any used car is a craps shoot. If your mechanically inclined and dont mind doing your own repairs then a neon is a good deal because parts are relatively cheap and thier simple to work on.

kp

so is it true that the pulley bearing go out around 60k? also, engine vibration, I can feel it through the entire car sometimes is there something wrong or can I put in different mounts to lessen the vibration?

I've never heard of pulleys seizing up in 60k but i'm sure it can happen.


As for vibration, its a neon not a cadillac:smile:

You can try and change the front mount which is typically shot really early in it's life.

Originally posted by KMP
Alot of it depends on how well it's been maintained. Depending on the build date the headgasket may be the older revision (composite) that is known to leak, that is if it hasn't been replaced with the correct gasket already. 85,000 is about time to replace the timing belt if it hasn't been done already. Chrysler say their good until 105k but if the belt breaks you will be out alot more money than it would have cost to replace the timing belt. At that mileage it is about time to perform some routine maintenance if you want to keep it in good shape.

Only other real problem is the rough start/idle that will trip the CEL but there is a TSB for it. Chrysler suggests changing the valve springs to a new revision that is a bit stiffer. I've had the rough start problem occasionally since it had 20,000 miles on it. Comes and goes but it seems to average about 4 times a year.

Assuming no maintenance has been done ever then I would suggest
-Tune up. New plugs (Champion RC9YC) new wires, air filter, pcv valve, new radiator cap. Flush the cooling system.

-Timing belt. While your in there might as well change the water pump and accessory drive belts while your at it. Timing belt is $45, water pump is $45 and the alternator belt is roughly $15 and PS/AC belt is $4. Some people suggest replacing the tensioner pulley and hydraulic tensioner. Those parts are a bit pricy. That decision you'll have to make on your own.

- Head gasket. If it hasn't been replaced and was built before 11/98 then it is probably already leaking or will soon. Check the back driver side of the head. Thats where they leak. If your a decent mechanic figure on 2 days and about $300 in parts.

-There are a few more things that would be associated with any car with this mileage that is ready to be replaced but you get the idea now anyways.

OR, you could just drive it until it breaks then repair. Buying any used car is a craps shoot. If your mechanically inclined and dont mind doing your own repairs then a neon is a good deal because parts are relatively cheap and thier simple to work on.

kp

Where are you from? I wish parts were that cheap here, but I prefer to stick to the Mopar brand for major things since I have had fitment/reliability problems with non-Mopar stuff.

Also some parts are higher depending on if the motor is SOHC or DOHC. DOHC timing belt is $100 and so is the water pump. This past spring I dropped about $1000 into my car for the timing belt, HG, tensioner, water pump, misc gaskets, etc. The timing belt tensioner should be changed since eventually it could wear out. Water pumps should ALWAYS be replaced when timing belt is replaced since the belt is run off of it. I already experieced what has happpened when it seizes and rips the belt into shreds. I was fortunate to have a friend with a motor laying around....I don't think I will ever be that lucky again.

As for the Neon being easy to work on, so true :) Most of my problems have been a sensor blowing, and Chrysler is pretty famous for crappy electical. Most sensors are under $75 but there are a few that get up there. If you get a Haynes Manual for the Neon or a Factory Service Manual you can become your own mechanic. 5 years ago I knew nothing about cars except for taking them in for service every so many miles. This spring, along with my fiance, we tore my motor down to the block and put it back together :D

from Ky. I used all aftermarket parts except the gasket set is Mopar. Timing belt and accessory belts were goodyear. Waterpump is, hell I dont even know who made the waterpump. I had about $300 in parts( top end gasket set, tbelt, accessory belts, waterpump, pcv, rad cap, thermostat, oil, coolant, cleaners, etc.) You are right, you should replace the tensioner & pulleys for piece of mind but I was limited on funds so they got reused, along with the headbolts:smile:

I didn't have to replace my tensioner but I do so for peace of mind. My beast has travelled over 154,000 miles and anything can go wrong hehe. Fortunately I don't drive my car for my living anymore so that helps alot.

My neon's still going strong at 186,000 kms. After I caught up on the maintenance the previous owner failed to do, its be running great. (headgasket, timing belt, upstream o2 sensor, camshaft position sensor) thats pretty good considering I picked up the car for $1200.:iceslolan

I have a 98' Plymouth Neon Expresso. I bought it used. It has about 74,000 miles on it. Here are things I found that you should look for as minor problems.. The moon roof motors tend to wear out after awhile, but they are fairly easy to replace. If you notice a bit of misfiring, it's most likely because it still has the original plugs and wires. These should be replaced about 60-65k no matter what. So if you find those problems... make a big deal out of them, I got the guy to drop a couple grand off of mine because of the misfiring.. which i promptly fixed by driving down to autozone and spending the 45 bucks on new plugs and wires.

I have another neon same year and make.. It shows signs of massive over heating.. it runs, but has poor compression( I'm thinking due to burnt rings) Also the oil plug seems to be a little melted in, and the dip stick has burned on oil. The A/C fan is hard wired on, so it looks like a bit of shadyness was going on before I bought it. I don't really care though, it's an automatic, so I'm looking for an engine and manual trans to put in it. If anyone gets rear ended and wants to sell, let me know.

The reason I asked KMP was that on my last car(an 87 volvo) the vibration of the engine at around 3.5k and on would turn the transmission with it and thus losing power and gas milage and the way I fixed it was by putting stronger mounts(turbo). When I did do that, there was also much less vibration so I thought that there might be a similar solution. And my Volvo certainly was not a cadillac either.

No, Dodges do not have big problems, but sometimes they have a lot of little problems, most of which can be fixed yourself.

On the other hand, Mopars have very strong engines and drivetrains that will take you to 200,000 miles and beyond.

My daughter's 95 Neon has 200,000 miles on it and she beats the crap out of it. It looks like butt, but it still runs fine.

i have a 04 neon with vibration issues that i still have not been able to get fixed.Now i want to get rid of it cause i don't know what to do(neigther mechanic knows)replaced both motor mounts and had trans mount checked,and vibration still is there.I wouldn't really ever buy a dodge,no offense guys but i am so desperate at this point.