what is wrong?

My car has some junk on the oil cap, the oil on the dipstick appears to be fine. It seems to run fine and there are no visible leaks. Any suggestions?

Underneath the oil cap?

When you take the cap off it is around the the cap and in where you put the oil. I just had an oil change last month and they said there was water in the oil. They did not say how much though. I am not driving my car right now, till it gets figured out.

Water in the oil will give it a milky look. Probably just dirt around that area. Clean it up as best as possible, being careful not to get any into the valve cover.

It only has the milky stuff where the cap comes off. Also the area where the cap goes back into.

When was the last time you changed your oil? Maybe your oil cap isn't sealing correctly and letting moisture in.

I just had the oil changed last month. I get my oil changes done at Walmart, do you think they are a reliable place to get them done at? Someone else I know has a neon and they do not have problems like I do. They have a dohc versus mine a sohc if that matters any. They drive about the same way I do as well. We both drive out of town once a week. The oil cap seems to screw on okay.

Do you think if I cleaned the cap off now that it is warmer out that it would go away? The radiator is full and the bottle is at the add mark for coolant.
Do you think it may be the pcv system? It has never been replaced since I got the car about 6 years ago.

Some people lilke Wal-Mart, but I do my own oil chages, so I can't say if they are reliable or not.

Keep an eye on it and check it about once a week. You should change your PCV valve about every 30,000 miles. It's cheap and easy to do.

Can the pcv valve cause moisture to go in the oil area, if the hosing is blocked up? There is hosing in that area right? What does the pcv system consist of?
I heard it can be a serious problem if it blocks up, it can hydrolock. So my car will not start at all. Also will the oil have to be changed again and a new air filter put in as well? They would probably be contaminated to some extent.
Thanks again for all your help.

The PCV system is just a PCV valve and some tubing. Not much to it.

I haven't heard of an engine hydolocking because of the PCV valve wasn't working. Bad idles and engine missing are symptoms.

I cleaned the cap off, there is still stuff inside though by the valve area. I will not touch that area. The dipstick was fine. I could not figure out where the pcv valve was, so I could not check it. I added some coolant as well.

Can the tubing block up possibly? I checked the engine oil cap and it clicks when you turn it, so it fits well. You just think the water in the oil is ok, it cannot be much because the oil level is norm. Maybe it is just a little moisture, nothing to worry about. Should I still get the pcv system checked out, will it be expensive?

If your coolant reservoir isnt needing more coolant - then I think the symptoms of water in the camshaft cover are not serious. The pcv hose on my 1997 neon with the 2.0 liter Single Overhead Cam Engine comes from a tube on the top of the cam cover right in front of the coil pack, and runs down between the middle 2 spark plugs. It connects to a tube coming up from the main run of the intake manifold, between the last two inlet tubes (furthest from the passengers side. The PCV valve is in the middle of this hose, tucked almost out of sight among the intake manifold tubes. It shouldnt be expensive to replace - but be sure the hose is on good condition as well as the PCV valve. My hose is disintegrating where it connects to the camshaft cover.

Thanks I might be able to find it now. I still do not want to replace it myself, so I will take it somewhere. Does it usually take that much time to do? Also can the tubing block up at all?

Should take about 5 minutes to change the PCV valve. Do it yourself!!! It costs about $3-$4 for a new one and is VERY EASY TO INSTALL!!!

I have never heard of hoses to/from the PCV clogging up.
The only tool you might need would be a pair of ordinary pliers, to squeeze the hose clamps 'open' and move them out of your way. I would think it would be easier to remove the entire length of tubing that the PCV valve is in-the-middle-of, then install the new PCV valve, and put the entire hose assembly back. And like I said the upper part of the hose on my 97 is spongy and slides off the tube that emerges from the valve cover. I could buy a length of 1/2 inch rubber hose and fix it - and probably will before I finish working on mine. Right now I have removed the engine in order to replace its rear main seal, and to fix a semi-melted wiring harness at the back of the motor.

What is the right kind to buy? I still could not find it, I looked today, no luck.

I do not know much about cars and where the parts are located. I also do not like to pick my car apart and try to remember where the parts went. I do not know what the pcv valve looks like, it is hidden? Where is the hosing that it is connected to? I feel stupid for asking such questions.

See the tube running from the top of the valve cover in between 2 spark plug wires? Follow the tube to the little black plastic piece....thats the PCV valve on a SOHC neon.

http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/das2123/97%20Neon/?action=view&current=97Neon10.jpg

Coolant level staying fine. The stuff I cleaned off the cap did not come back, it did not accumulate more. I am driving it for now, unless I sense something is wrong. I will try to look for the pcv valve again. Thanks.

One problem, my car hood area does not look like yours. Mine is a 95 sohc.
It does not match yours much at all, so it does not help me any. Besides how do you take those things off.

On the stock '95 SOHC setup, that hose connected to the air tube that ran between the throttle body and the air filter assembly. The small diameter hose is for the PCV valve. There should be two pieces to this hose, with the PCV valve inserted between the two. That small hose with the PCV valve should connect to the PCV fitting on the intake manifold.

I only know of the hose that connects to the air filter body, on the right side.
What is the intake manifold? I do not see many hoses in my car in that area. Is somewhere under the air filter hose, I have no clue.

The intake manifold is what is between the engine and radiator. It should be black and have 4 tube style runners going down towards that starter.

Still cannot find it. Backed my car out today, I have some black spots on the ground in the garage. Something must be leaking somewhere. What does black fluid mean? It appears to be black anyway.

You have an oil leak.

The weird part is the stuff is sticky when you feel it. It is pure black, but I see no drips coming from anywhere.

I do not see anymore spots anywhere. Can you explain what a rough idle feels like on a neon? Still no luck finding the pcv valve.

Can you take some pics of your engine bay and post them up?

What exactly is engine missing?

How often does a car need coolant added. What system uses coolant the most. What makes the coolant disappear?

I sent a p.m. explaining about "engine miss" and coolant info.

When I run my defrost my car makes a whirring sound. It also does it when I run the air. Can you tell me what is causing this? How can I get it fixed?

Is it your compressor kicking on?

Would the belt that spins the a.c compressor make a noise if its not snug enough? Before I tightened mine, I could see it wobbling a lot when the a.c. was on - but it wasnt sqealing, just making a soft rumble noise, hardly audible.

The milky stuff around the cap could be just condensation from driving the car for short distances. If this is the case, try to drive the car for an hour or so. If you still find the emulsified oil, your problems might be bigger, otherwise problem's solved.

Good luck

No this is more of a whirring sound. My friend's car does it as well and she has a neon too.

Where is the compressor? What does it do?

Where is the compressor? What does it do?The A/C compressor...it's what blows the cold air into your car when you turn on your AC.

The a.c. compressor is at the front of the engine, passengers side, and down Low. You might be able to see it from under the car better than from above, though you cant tell much about it by looking. It is turned by a V-belt that is driven from the pulley at the end of the motor.

Is it a problem if I do not get it fixed? Will it wreck my car or I will just not have air? If it is the compressor what do I do?

I got an oil change today and the guy said my car does not have a pcv valve. He said some neons do not have them. Could this be true?

I got an oil change today and the guy said my car does not have a pcv valve. He said some neons do not have them. Could this be true?If you have a 1st gen neon, you have a PCV valve. Can you take a pic of your engine bay? What year is your neon?

I am fairly certain you wont have to do anything about your a.c. compressor. They can go bad inside, but the pulley still spins on the outside - and thats all you need for the power steering to work. (The power steering pump and the a.c. compressor are driven by the same V-belt.) Since the compressor only makes the noise when you have the a.c. on - you can either stop using the a.c. - and forget about the compressor: Or you can go on using the a.c. in the car until it just finally quits cooling. Neither of these will hurt the engine or the car. It -might- cause more damage to the inside of the a.c. compressor, but thats not a big deal. Because... with a ten year old Neon, you would need a rebuilt a.c. compressor anyway (along with a new drier, maybe some hoses and the usual other things) if you wanted the a.c. to work reliably in the future.

My neon is a 95 Plymouth Sport Coupe. I can take a picture,but how do you format it to get it on the page?

I also have a new problem. My turn signals are not turning off after I turn. Is there anything I can do to fix this?

My neon is a 95 Plymouth Sport Coupe. I can take a picture,but how do you format it to get it on the page?Use a site like photobucket.com or imageshack and link the photo.

I also have a new problem. My turn signals are not turning off after I turn. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
You need to replace your multi-function switch.

How much would a job like that cost? Can you buy a new compressor?

How much will a multi-function switch cost?

Does air use any coolant?

You can buy a new air conditioning compressor, but to install it requires having special purpose tools and equipment that are only needed for working on a.c. systems, and special skills and experience too. A rebuilt compressor might cost $300-$400, but getting it installed and the labor to have the a.c. system purged, flushed, evacuated, and recharged will probably at least double that cost. There arent any good shortcuts.
A multifunction switch could cost anywhere from $40 up to $80 or possibly a little more. If you buy it from an auto parts place it will be less than if you can only get it from an auto dealer. Installing it can be done by any mechanic, and some amateurs. It does involve removing the steering wheel. It should take less than an hour for a mechanic to do it.
The air conditioning system uses the refrigerant (freon) inside it as the coolant. The freon circulates through the a.c. system, along with the atomized lubricating oil. It doesnt use water or antifreeze in any way.

How can I tell if it is the compressor? Can I tell what is wrong by the noise it makes? My defrost makes the same noise too. Can they be connected?

Also what does it mean when your air is not very cold. What can be other causes of air conditioner failure?

I sent you a private message with a rambling answer to your question. The site www.ackits.com has a good forum section, with a good FAQ section, if you want to read up on air conditioning. I have gotten to where I understand what they are talking about on that site; and I still dont choose to try and fix the air conditioners on my older cars. Not even for driving in S. Texas in the summer.
Besides, you get better gas mileage driving with the windows down and the a.c. turned off.

Will the airconditioning system affect how the car drives?
Does the airconditioning make some noise to an extent?

The air conditioning system wont have any affect on how the car works. No matter what is wrong with the air conditioning, you will be able to drive the car just the same.
The only noise you should be able to hear inside the car from the air conditioner would be the whoose of air blowing at you from the vents. If you stand in front of the car, you would be able to hear the radiator fans running with the a.c. on - but you would have to listen for it; its just the blowing noise any fan makes.
If you have the a.c. on and there is a whirring noise from the compressor - I think it is one of two things: Either the compressor has something wrong inside - OR there is a slight chance the whirring noise is from a loose V-belt that is turning the pulley on the compressor. When the belt is not snug enough it will wobble and flutter from the strain of spinning the a.c. compressor. I wouldnt think this would make any audible sound unless you had the hood open and were standing right next to it - but I dont know for sure.
It would be very easy to have someone at a service station or someone mechanically inclined, push on that V-belt and tell you if it were really lose. They should be fairly tight, and shouldnt move down more than 3/4 at most when you push on it.

dude, black midnight.. use www.wikipedia.com

it helps a lot and it might be easier info to digest..

other than that.. glad everyones helping ya..

I just went to get my oil change. It has been 3 months and he said my oil was very clean, can that be? He also said my front swaybar is broken, the things it sits on. It affects driveability? He said bout 90 to replace it. Should I believe what he says?

As far as the oil change: We just changed the oil on our Neon after 7000 miles. That was from mid May to the middle of August. Most of the driving was on the highway, visiting relatives in adjoining states. With a fuel injected engine, your oil will stay fairly clean-looking if your driving doesnt involve short trips, so its hard to go by how dirty it looks.
I like the advice I saw about changing your oil each 3 to 4 months. If you drive 10,000 miles a year, each 4 months would be after 3300 miles. A good time to change it.
If you drive 40,000 miles a year, each 3 months would be 10,000 miles - and I wouldnt wait quite that long, would probably change it at 8000. I am assuming you check the oil regularly and add a quart as needed. Our Neon gets about 1800 miles to a quart of oil, so in that 7000 miles we put in 3 quarts and it was a quart low when I changed it. I would change the oil filter every-other oil change.
A broken sway bar will affect driveability when you go around corners fast, or if you have to make an emergency avoidance maneuver. Driving in straight lines, or on sidestreets - you wont notice any difference. But in an emergency - it will let the body 'tilt' more, and have a bad effect on your being able to control skidding. I would get it fixed, and $90 seems about right. The mechanic should be able to show you the broken part before and - by getting down on the ground and looking at the sway bar. Unfortunately Neons are pretty close to the ground in front.