My Daughter while driving hwy speed brock timing belt on her 2.0 DOHC engine. So I replaced belt and triple checked timing marks to make sure it was right on. Now when starting the car it wo't idle and only run (very roughat that) when you run at 4 or 5 grand. when I pulled the plugs all were carboned up but # 4 plug was wet with fuel. all the plugs are new and all have good spark. could this be damaged valves?????????
Please help>>>
LukeHancock
HoodooGuru
07-03-2005, 09:16 PM
Sounds a bit that way.
Generally when u lose a timing belt at speed it does major damage.
Is it blowing smoke and using oil now? I bet it is.
Go see the mechanic I suggest!
LukeHancock
07-04-2005, 10:55 AM
Thanks, I will take your advise and see the mechanic.
RadarLove
07-05-2005, 06:43 AM
The 2.0L engine is an interference design. Only a lucky few have survived without bending valves. I bent all 16 and warped the head... For the cost of repairs (including labor), you could probably pick up another Neon... Mine ran me $1300 or so for the valves, machining the head, and labor (halfway between my house in CT and my brother's in GA). This was over a Christmas/New Year, so add hotels and rental car costs on top of that... not fun.
When replacing the timing belt, you should also do the water pump and tensioner assembly. You can pick up a used DOHC head typically for $100-150 on the neons.org classifieds in good condition with all the valves and even the cams. A new head gasket and head bolts will run you another $100-120 depending on where you go. You may be able to just swap out all the valves, but that depends on how level the head is... This is all assuming the valves didn't crack/nick the pistons...
Best of luck!
dodgeneonACR98
07-06-2005, 12:16 PM
RIGHT ON RADAR. My guess is the valves too.THAT SUCKS! Sorry to hear that but a little preventative maintanance would have stoped that. Especially on a DOHC you want to be sure that the timeing belt is in good working shape.
I am sure that 1300 would buy another neon LOL. I am glad I keep up on my belts!
GOOD LUCK! I got my gasket kit and head bolts for 80 bucks at a local head shop!
A reworked head was 250 with the return of MINE! 400 or better without returning mine. They gave me the wrong head I used mine which was good THANK GOD. I returned the head and got my money back but they will come with new valves and seals,youll need to put in your cams and lifters ect.Like RADAR said if you are lucky
the valves were the only thing broken or damaged!
WISH YOU LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EZ4U2CHere
07-10-2005, 02:27 PM
I've been there and done that. LOL
I've actually ended up buying neons dirt cheap because of the interference motor. Someone will lose a timing belt, mechanic who doesn't know it's an interference motor will replace timing belt, car runs like crap, mechanic says "oh you have bent valves, that will be another $1300".
You replaced the timing belt yourself, so I'd assume you have the no-how to change the head too. Find a good used head for $100 to $200 and get a Mopar upper gasket set for $100~ and have at it.
Hemi Pete
07-10-2005, 02:43 PM
I don't care about the motor being interferance, just take care of the belt before it breaks and the engine will stay running.
My 1.5L is an interferance engine, and I just replaced the belt and tensioning components about two months ago.
No problem at all really, you just have to be proactive.
Remember, replace the belt every: 60,000 miles or 2 years.
EZ4U2CHere
07-10-2005, 02:55 PM
Remember, replace the belt every: 60,000 miles or 2 years.
I've never heard of "or every 2 years" before. That seems drastic to me.
The problem a lot of people have is the neon belt is rated to be changed every 105k miles. I've seen some not make it to half that.
In my case, mine went at 169k miles. Yes, I knew I was asking for trouble. :D
Hemi Pete
07-10-2005, 03:00 PM
In my case, mine went at 169k miles. Yes, I knew I was asking for trouble. :D
Man, you've got guts! I don't wait until 60,000 miles or 2 years are up, I replace it like about every 40K or 1 year.
RadarLove
07-17-2005, 05:44 AM
The owner's manual and FSM say to replace it every 105k miles. The belt itself is made of a special high-temperature rubber material and features unique construction so it can withstand the high belt loads that result from operating 16 valves (as opposed to the 2.2/2.5L 8-valve predecessors). For proper belt tension, a spring- loaded automatic tensioner with hydraulic damping pushes an idler pulley against the back of the belt - no manual adjustments. Low-inertia sprockets made of powdered metal are spaced away from the block to reduce the belt operating temperature. the belt is completely enclosed by a two piece close- fitting molded plastic cover. The cover protects the belt from damage by debris and moisture. This protection lengthens belt life. Mine made it 135k or so when it went. I've seen plenty go 150k on daily driver type Neons. But with more power (bigger cams in particular), they can go sooner. I personally won't go more than 85-90k miles anymore. 60k is definitely overkill. 40k is nuts, I'd be doing it every 14 months...
