103,000 -PM suggestions, High Milers

[micker]

We have 99' regular SOHC plymoth neon. Right now it's running fine. Changed
plugs,wires,egr valve, auto transmission tune-up,and frount brake pads at 75,000.

Thought we had head gasket leak but was only cam sensor seal.CHECKED IT BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU ALL WROTE HERE. Thanks!

So what can we do now to get another 100,000 miles? Planning to do the timing belt and water pump soon. You have any other ideas on long term
neons? Oh, and I promised this year, no more shops. Got an extra car so can take my time. Will try to adjust door window this weekend, it's got that wind
noise.

[das2123]

Originally Posted by micker

Planning to do the timing belt and water pump soon. You have any other ideas on long term neons?

Don't forget the tensioner pulley also. Just keep up the preventive maintenance on it and you should be good.

[neon_rt]

It is due for a Timing Belt, you should do it now, if you delay you will be sorry. The belts are supposed to be changed at 105K miles, i've seen several fail at 110K miles. You will most likely need a new engine at that point. Also, some people think I'm extreme but I replace the head gasket at the same time I do the belt. Every time I have not changed the gasket, it has burned me, may I stress EVERY TIME. About 20K-30K after the belt, the head gasket started leaking, the head got warped, the head had to be rebuilt or replaced.
The first time I replaced a head I didn't realize that the Head Bolts are not reuseable and had to do it again b/c the head came unsealed within about 1000 miles. The head gasket tends to be a problem with these engines and so as a preventative measure I replace it with a multi-layer-laminate gasket on the first belt change. After that I don't bother b/c the next belt change is at 200K.

[micker]

Thanks for the info, If 110,000 is the magic number then I better start planing. The way my wife drives it will hit 105,000 by March.

What about the parts brand? Do you have better results with dodge parts or are ones from rockauto or autozone OK? There is a big price difference .

[BlazerLT]

Timing belt, water pump, and the fuel filter for sure.

Water pumnps failing is the often cause of the SOHC 2.0 blowing its timing belt.

[das2123]

Originally Posted by micker

What about the parts brand? Do you have better results with dodge parts or are ones from rockauto or autozone OK? There is a big price difference .

For the headgasket look for the Felpro one. Other parts you can get from Autozone or Rockauto and be ok!