Timing Belt - Interference Engine 97 Neon SOC?

[DOCTORBILL]

I just bought a 97 Plymouth Neon with a SOHC engine for $1,400.

The car has 95,000 miles on it.

It was recommended to me that I have the timing belt changed.....

OK.....But that will cost me about $310 !! Big LABOR bill mostly!

I'm lucky I don't have the DOHC - that approaches $500 !!!

The damned car runs the water pump off the timing belt!
So THAT should be replaced at the same time!

Has anyone ever had this year's Neon's Timing Belt break (or heard
of one breaking)?

Did it trash the engine?

i.e. is this an interference or clearance engine?

I always seem to buy a car that is exceptionally expensive to repair
or has exceptionally expensive replacement parts....Bad karma.

DoctorBill

[TEXSRT4]

$300 aint bad. heck, for as much work as that is, i might pay someone to do it for me cause im lazy!

[growe58]

To answer your questions, yes both the SOHC and DOHC are interference engines, yes the belts really do break and yes they usually (but not always) trash the engine (usually bent valves).

DIYing the timing belt can be done, it is one of those jobs that can be performed by mere mortals (better than a ford escort). Hardest part is removing the crank pulley, depending on how tight it's on. And oh yeah, I had to send the tensioner off to the shop to compress as my vise wasn't big enough.

You're already over the mileage (I believe) for a 97. Any chance a previous owner already took care of it for you?

[das2123]

Originally Posted by growe58

yes both the SOHC and DOHC are interference engines, yes the belts really do break and yes they usually (but not always) trash the engine (usually bent valves). You're already over the mileage (I believe) for a 97. Any chance a previous owner already took care of it for you?

I agree with what growe58 said. It will break and take your valves with it. The timing belt is a 100,000 mile belt. Some people have it snap before then, and some after. I wouldn't push it to much though. $300 isn't bad at all for the job. My guess is the shop doesn't know what they are getting into. Ask them if they have done it on a neon before. If you want to do it yourself, and you can, click the link for a great how-to...
http://jball.neons.org/howto/timing_belt/howto.html

Parts for the neon and cheap and plenty.

[DOCTORBILL]

Originally Posted by das2123

....My guess is the shop doesn't know what they are getting into. Ask them if they have done it on a neon before.
Parts for the neon and cheap and plenty....

I called a shop where I've had work done.

The guy pulled out a book that gives the time rqd for each type of car.

He said the SOHC was such and such time while the DOHC was 2.5
hours longer. According to the Chilton Manual, that sounds true.

Then he suggested changing the Water Pump also as it doesn't
add much time and would cost $300 just to do that alone.

So, I will take your advice soon. Right now comes a $350 bill for
snow tires here In Spokane - they raised the prices because of
oil prices going up.

The "Tire Rapists" here took quick advantage of raising oil prices
and are 'having' us Spokanites......

God I hate automobiles! I spend probably 25% of my income on
cars, repairs, tires, gasoline and insurance. Just so I can drive to
work.... A vicious circle.

DoctorBill

[TEXSRT4]

only 25%, that aint bad. between my car and my girls car (full time student who was bitten by the modification bug) gets nearly 50% of my income.

[das2123]

Originally Posted by TEXSRT4

only 25%, that aint bad. between my car and my girls car (full time student who was bitten by the modification bug) gets nearly 50% of my income.

Mine used to be about that high, but now my house and our new baby, due in Feb, willl take all the money

[RyanHilliker]

I was quoted $1100 CDN for my timing belt and pulley.
So I have a choice: Drive my $600 Neon to the ground until the clutch goes or timing belt dies.
Or play change the timing belt myself for a few hundred and maybe try my luck at changing my clutch in the summer time when I wont freeze to death or have to take public transit which, by the way, is a life ruiner.

[das2123]

Originally Posted by RyanHilliker

I was quoted $1100 CDN for my timing belt and pulley.
So I have a choice: Drive my $600 Neon to the ground until the clutch goes or timing belt dies.
Or play change the timing belt myself for a few hundred and maybe try my luck at changing my clutch in the summer time when I wont freeze to death or have to take public transit which, by the way, is a life ruiner.

I say do it yourself...get a FSM (preferably), or a Chilton or Haynes manual at the least. The neon is an easy car to work on. There is a saying on another forum that says, "The neon, turning regular people into mechanics since 1995!"

[DOCTORBILL]

I just had the TB and water pump (should be done at the same time)
replaced yesterday here in Spokane, WA. (SOHC Engine)

Here is the breakdown:
Labor 3.3 hours - $65/hr - $214
Timing belt - $64
NEW (not rebuilt) water pump - $67
"Drive Belt" (?) - $13
Serpentine Belt - $ 14
Misc - $11
Sales tax $32.59

Total cost - $416

The "old" belt was original equipment (95,000 miles on car) and looked
like it was new. Rubber very black and no visible cracks or hardening.

BUT - The water pump showed signs of starting to leak from the
"weap hole" .....

So, if the belt hadn't parted, the water pump would have gone south
and I'd still have had to fix it.

Just glad to have it done.... Now if my son just keeps out of having
another "accident" with the *%$#@-&%#$ deer in this area, we'll
be fine !

DoctorBill

[das2123]

Originally Posted by DOCTORBILL

Total cost - $416

That isn't too bad. Keep up with the general maintenance on the car, and it should be good to go for another 100,000 miles.