Tunga

I have a 97' Neon DOHC 2.0 it has about 130,000 miles on it and here recentley it started overheating I checked the radiator fluids and there was oil all in the radiator. I flushed the radiator and took out the thermostat and once again it overheated and there was oil back in it again. Some people tell me it is a blown head gasket causing my car to do this and others say that I have a cracked head, has anyone else had this problem?

TEXSRT4

head gasket is toast

palindromelol

head gasket is toast

The head gasket isolates hot water from hot oil from hot combustion gasses from the environment.
Never should any of them meet via the head gasket.

The head needs to come off. If there is a crack you'll find it then.

Tunga

should i replace the whole motor or just replace what is causing this. I have had people say that i should replace the whole motor because the car has gotten hot on me quite a few times. The motor still runs great no misses or chatter comes from it at all.

palindromelol

If it were me.....I'd just do the head gasket. You can alway do an engine later if you have to. A head gasket isn't so bad and is easier than a whole engine.

das2123

It depends, if it got real hot it may have warped the head which in return won't seal correctly. If that is the case you will have to either replace the engine or have the head decked.

I guess that depends on who you are and what tools you have. It is actually easier for some people to drop in a new engine in a couple of hours and go

palindromelol

I'd be inclined to agree if it weren't for the transaxel. Easy though it is, it adds a dimentionality to the job of engine removal. Popping the driver's side shaft is easy aftr you've done it once and have a "custom tool". Hey, you can check the block for cracks and warpage of the head after the head is out. A new engine is bigger money. I did mine for fun so money and time was not an issue.

Tunga

Ok I know this is a little off the subject but I might as well ask while we're talking about oil....lol My car leaks oil too, it has leaked oil since I bought the thing and there is lots of oil on the transmission and other stuff around that area. I have heard that the rear main seals are known to go out in these cars and was wondering do you have to take out the motor to do that kind of repair?

das2123

It's usually done with the motor out as it is located by the crankshaft.

palindromelol

Assuming it is engine oil, and assuming the leak is the main seal and not the pan seal etc etc....something needs to come out to replace the main seal. The engine and transaxel with a subsequent removal of the transaxel. Or you can drop the transaxel. to get at the main seal.

If you have a catalogue of issues with the engine, I would be inclined to remove the engine. If it is just the head... I'd do the head.... but from what I hear in this thread, you bucking an engine extraction.

Hey if you are doing the main seal, do the hydraulic pump seal and the two shaft seals on the tranny. 20 bucks total. I did the filter on the tranny too but it really didn't need it. (assuming ATX)

sykotic1

new engine hardly. what you need to actually DO is get a compression test. after that you can put a new gasket on and test again. if the head is warped you'll know it. use a professional.