1996 Dodge Neon Head Gasket question

I have a 1996 Dodge Neon with a recurring head gasket problem. I was "replaced 1/3/00, and 9/8/00. It appears to happen again. The problem now that I have is that there is a leak in the cooling system. What I need to know (1) what did Chysler actually fixed the 2 times they replaced the head gasket?; (2) did they look at the heads etc and (3) how do I get Chrsyler to fixed the problems?

I know about the "lemon" laws and I am looking into that also. The dealership that I am dealing with says Chrysler won't fixed it as to their 12 month or 12000 rule.

So does any one know what work Chrsyler did fix under their head gasket repair policy for 1996 Dodge Neons?



Thanks

Dealers rarely do anything by the book. My guess is that your head was warped and they only replaced the gasket and did not send the head itself out to get machined. This should be done to remedy any warping and to make sure it's not cracked. They probably didn't do that and now you are suffering the consquences of it. I replaced my HG last year and in 11 months replaced it again. A fitting pin on the block broke and it also turned out that my head did have some slight warping to it...enough to cause trouble. I should have had it machines the first time but money and time prevented that. The second time around I got it done.

If they won't fix it, be a pain in their ass until they do. Talk to higher management, go all the way to the top and make your complaint known. 2 blown headgaskets in year is not acceptable.

I am not amachanic so I think that it wasn't done as I waited at the dealership for about 4-6 hours waiting for the job to be finished.

I am not amachanic so I think that it wasn't done as I waited at the dealership for about 4-6 hours waiting for the job to be finished.

I have a friend who can do a HG job in less than an hour if you leave him be...however that doesn't include getting the head machined. Sounds like they just changed the gasket and went to lunch. I would try to get them to remedy it.

i've heard a lot about this head gasket problem from people on the forums and friends, should i be worried about this, is it a reoccuring problem for a lot of people?

i've heard a lot about this head gasket problem from people on the forums and friends, should i be worried about this, is it a reoccuring problem for a lot of people?

Any Neon that rolled off the assembly line before October or November of 1998 is at risk for headgasket failure. The headgaskets put on before that period were a composite material and there is an O-ring that sits in the left rear corner of the gasket that deteriorates. If you catch it on the first drip of oil on the ground, then you should be fine, but if you let it go in the long run you risk damaging your motor. It is an expensive job, but supposedly Chrysler may still have some kind of limited warranty on that.

Here's a pic of the difference between the old composite gasket and the new MLS (multi-layer steel) gasket:

http://www.katwoman097.com/motorwork/mtr_hg002.jpg

And here is a probably not so great pic of the O-ring that deteriorates on the old composite gaskets:

http://www.katwoman097.com/motorwork/mtr_hg003.jpg

do you know for sure it is the head gasket? Are the fluids mixed? Is there smoke? If it is just leaking, it could be elsewhere.