Desperate For Help!!!!!

[FricknFrazzled]

I have a 1995 Plymouth Neon with 63,000 miles on it.
My car now has a MASSIVE OIL LEAK that appeared with NO warning signs, (ie: like a slow leak first). I brought my son to his Pop Warner Official Weigh-Ins on a Saturday morning. When we returned to the car, I saw nothing,(that would be obvious upon approach to a car), unusual. I had a few errands I needed to run,...so off we went. Approx. 5 or so miles down the road at a red light, I notice the car sounded like it had a slight ticking. (it didn't before) So less then a 1/2 mile ahead was an Autoparts store,...so I stopped there to check my oil level. It was almost empty. So I purchased some (one of the BEST) oil, and put it in. Started the car and proceeded to the store across the street. When I got out of the car I notice an enorrmous trail of oil, from where I just came from. The long and short of it is,...the car appears to be leaking Massive amounts of oil,...and it "APPEARS" to be coming from where the Timing Belt case is. Also, the oil only pours out from that area while the car is running (and for those first few moments after you shut off the car.) Can ANYONE PLEASE HELP ME with this problem. What might be BLOWN,...CRACKED,...etc...in that general area to cause this massive oil leak? I'm a single mom, and not exactly rich. I can't afford to have some Mechanic who wants to tell me I NEED everything but the kitchen sinkif you know what I mean. The car had the "Head Gasket" replaced about 10,000 miles ago,...along with alot of other thing. PLEASE,...If you know something that'll help me pin-point the problem,...I would GREATLY APPRECIATE IT! Thanks!

[HitmanHart]

First I'm the first to say I know squat about cars and engines. But about 3 yr ago I had a similar problem w\my '99 Plymouth Neon Expresso. kept getting low oil reading, kept putting oil in...still low reading.... finally took it to where I bought it. Thankfuly at the time it was under warranty.

FIRST they found the 'Cam Sensor Leaking'.
They installed a new cam sensor and installed a tracer dye. Advised me to keep close eye on any oil leaking and let them know so they could 'blacklight' it....

WELL... within a month, more oil loss! Took it back, they found that the 'head gasket' was leaking... said they were having some problems w/them for some reason...

Here's what the 'official' read out is on the work order:

Head Gasket Leaking Oil.
Replaced head gasket that was leaking oil & was fiber style. Ck'd head for being straight & found ok. Replaced head bolts, gasket set, oil & filter...road tested...

Since then I haven't had any problems w/the oil... it's the transmission that's shot now!

Good luck!

[derber]

I am also having this same problem on my neon. Has anyone else ever had a problem with this? I am leaking massive amounts of oil while the car is running. Oil appears to be coming from behind the timing belt cover. Could this be the camshaft seal or crankshaft seal? Could this be related to the infamous headgasket failures?

[2003svtcobra]

Hey, I used to be a dodge mechanic and i own a 96 neon and mine did this the other day. It is more than likely the cam seal behide the cam sprocket. Mine rode completely out onto the cam and it poured oil when running. The seal was $7 and i put it in myself, you must take off the timing belt and cam sprocket to get it. Let me know if you have any questions.

[FricknFrazzled]

First,....I want to THANK ALL of you who took the time to reply....it is much appreciated!!!!

HitmanHart.....Just thought you might want to know,...."they"....the dealer......told you that they were having SOME problems with them for some reason........were they specific as to the reason when they spoke directly to you,......or just alittle bit evassive? Because the truth is,....they've (Plymouth Neon) have been having ALOT more then just SOME problems with them. Truth is,...they've been bombbarded with the "Head Gasket" situation.
It's a defect in the engine that they knew about,...but continued to produce without correction for quite a few years. If you want,...I can provide you with many links about it, and the fighting that people have had to go through to get some type of help. Some have been fortunate ....and had the problem fixed with NO cost to them,......several have had to share the cost with the dealer,...but many have had to bare the cost all on their own, as the dealers have turned their backs on them. Not only is this very bad business practices,....but in my mind,...it's morally as well as ethically wrong! (Only because they knew about it,...but kept on producing it without correction for Several years afterwards!)

As for mine,.....the "HEAD GASKET" was replaced 10,000 miles ago,.....(along with many other things),......so my HEAD GASKET BEST not be invloved with it this time lol

2003svtcobra,......i've been told that the part(s) aren't that expensive,....but it's the labor that'll get ya. Due to what the job entails to replace the camseal. My understanding is,....you've got to tear down quite a bit to get at it to replace the darn thing. I was also HIGHLY advised to make sure I replace ONLY with GENUINE MOPAR parts,...or else I could be facing this same problem a few thousand miles down the road again!!
Question for ya,.....In your opinion,...wouldn't it be wise to change the timing belt as well? Couldn't the oil have done some type of damage? I was told it just might slip a bit,...but my gut tells me....alot more could potentially happen if I don't change the belt as well. Your thought??? Also,....I read the "SERVICE BULLETIN" that speaks about this problem....and the use of SOME TYPE of "RETAINER" to help keep the seal in place,.....Have you heard or do you have any knowledge about that???