m2736185

My 1996 Neon is now @ around 100,000 Miles.....I wish I knew for sure but the speedometer and odometer stopped working... or started working "occasionally" @ 80,000 Miles. Right now the main problem is when it takes off it starts shaking like its about to cut of... like a put put put type noise. Think it could be the resistive wires? I replaced the sparkplugs a month ago but not the wires. Another thing it started doing is overheating...well it only overheats in traffic. The coolant would be boiled until it evaporated and the coolant container would pop open. It cant be the radiator so im thinking maybe its just the thermostat. When I turn the heat on I get it down to 3/4, more depending on the traffic. It doesn't look good...who knows what's gonna go next

sheetmagnet

Um yeah I would replace the stat and flush it all out to make sure and replace with new coolant. If your car is overheating that badly, over and over, it will try diesling itself early and you will toast your motor. Sounds like you might have already started to... but being optimistic, fix your cooling system immediately and give it a try, and maybe see if there is life left in it still. Oh yeah change your oil and filter too (after the collant prob is fixed).

joe92k1500

If in traffic you mean not really moving, then i would look to see if your cooling fans are comming on at all. any engine will over heat if air isnt moving through the radiatior. I would replace the t'stat and coolant anyway. Cant hurt.

das2123

Time to change the timing belt, tensioner pulley and the water pump.

Read this post for this problem...
http://forums.neons.org/viewtopic.php?t=118450

What kind of plugs did you put in there? The neon doesn't respond well to platinum or split-fire plugs. You may see it run ok for awhile but in the end they will fail you. The wires could go bad and if you haven't changed them in over 100,000 miles, it may be time.

neon_rt

I would change the Head gasket if it were mine.
Hg's like to go out around 100K.

das2123

Good call, but if it has the MLS hg, then he may be fine!

m2736185

Well see the prob is I dont think it is worth it to change timing belt water pump etc. But the spark plugs were actually Platinum...maybe i can just stick the old ones back in and see what happens. The fans come on every now and then so I dont think thats the problem

sheetmagnet

Um, are you guys suggesting that platinum plugs alone can make a motor overheat to the point of pegging the gauge?

idriveacab

no a platnum plug is not going to make it over heat. but i think they were meaning as the put put issue. sounds like a head gasket to me. and you say its not worth to fix you can get the timing and water pump and the other things pretty cheap. and it woud take a day to fix depending on your knowledge its all on the same side of the motor so your in and out. it is worth it if you like your car and have the mechanic ability.

das2123

NO. That is for his takeoff problem.

It is if you want to keep the engine running. The timing belt has a 100,000 mile life. Some have pushed it as far as 130,000 but it will go out on you eventually, bending some valves while it does it.

sheetmagnet

Um, I knew that before I asked and knew that it was impossible... I was just clarifying the post, in my own subtle way.

m2736185

I see that the pump and belt are on the left side of the engine, what needs to be taken out to get to them? And what tools will I need?

das2123

They won't give you any warning or indication that they are fixing to go out on you. You need some basic tools, some type of manual (Haynes, Chilton's, or FSM), a heavy duty 3-jaw puller (3-5 ton), and if you have access to power tools it will make it easier. Here is a how-to for a SOHC...
http://jball.neons.org/howto/timing_belt/howto.html