Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Dodge Neon 4 cyl Manual 149000 miles
I had no choice but to buy this car. when i first got it a while back it ran fine. just a little slow. I replace the wires and plugs. did an engine and radiator flush. replace the valve cover and oil pan gasket a long with an oil change. she ran a little better, but really not much improvement. when i put it into gear to drive the car feels like there is air in the engine by the sound it make like a high rev with a whirling air noise.as if something is not fully catching. she idles a little rough and is very slow to go. i fear taking this car on the interstate do to the sluggishness. it feels like it takes 2 1/2 to 2 times longer than it should to reach any speed.
now where the rubber clutch inspection cover is there is a flow of oil coming from it. also when i drove it the other day the thermostat never went above the half way mark and smoke came from the engine. and when i stopped the car and turned it off she was making a sputtering and gurggling noise. i looked under the hood and the rad over fill canister was shaking and the fluid was boiling. the color was also rust colored? i had just done a flush a week ago so i am at a lost. behind that same spot when i got home is where a large amount of smoke was coming from it. I was told the main rear seal needs to be replaced.
please don't say you should not have bought it or get a new one. I am a single mother of three and this is all i could afford. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. and a suggestion on a better manual to help me do the repairs myself would help to. the haynes book is not as helpful as i thought. paying for a mechanic to fix it at this time is unthinkable. i have limited money and little experience with repairing my own cars. thank you for your time :).
1997 Dodge Neon 4 cyl Manual 149000 miles
I had no choice but to buy this car. when i first got it a while back it ran fine. just a little slow. I replace the wires and plugs. did an engine and radiator flush. replace the valve cover and oil pan gasket a long with an oil change. she ran a little better, but really not much improvement. when i put it into gear to drive the car feels like there is air in the engine by the sound it make like a high rev with a whirling air noise.as if something is not fully catching. she idles a little rough and is very slow to go. i fear taking this car on the interstate do to the sluggishness. it feels like it takes 2 1/2 to 2 times longer than it should to reach any speed.
now where the rubber clutch inspection cover is there is a flow of oil coming from it. also when i drove it the other day the thermostat never went above the half way mark and smoke came from the engine. and when i stopped the car and turned it off she was making a sputtering and gurggling noise. i looked under the hood and the rad over fill canister was shaking and the fluid was boiling. the color was also rust colored? i had just done a flush a week ago so i am at a lost. behind that same spot when i got home is where a large amount of smoke was coming from it. I was told the main rear seal needs to be replaced.
please don't say you should not have bought it or get a new one. I am a single mother of three and this is all i could afford. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. and a suggestion on a better manual to help me do the repairs myself would help to. the haynes book is not as helpful as i thought. paying for a mechanic to fix it at this time is unthinkable. i have limited money and little experience with repairing my own cars. thank you for your time :).
Mar 27, 2010 at 8:17 AM