'97 SOHC Neon Auto: I got the engine back in and everything hooked back up. But now when I go to turn the key it loses all power. I unhooked and reconnected the battery cables and the lights came back on, but it did the same thing again as soon as I turned the key again. PLEASE help me, I don't really know where to even start. THANKS in advance for all your help!!!

 

check all your grounds

 

And make sure the battery is fully charged.

 

Yeah, I was in a big hurry when trying to start it because I didn't have much time before I had to go to work. When I looked at it again after unhooking the battery and trying to start it, the dome light stays on but is very dim, and gets even dimmer by just inserting the key, not even turning it. I'm gonna throw a different battery in there, but I won't get a chance til Monday I think, maybe tomorrow. I will let you know what I come up with from that, and checking all the grounds and other connections. Thanks again so much!!!

 

I bought new battery terminal connectors later that afternoon after I first tried to start it, and I just installed them tonight. The car started right up with the new connectors. The old ones were quite corroded, and the nuts were pretty bad, hard to tighten. I only got to let it run for just a minute, had other stuff to do. Will let it warm up tommorow afternoon after work and check for leaks etc., but hopefully won't have to post any new questions. I can't fully express how thankful I am for all of you here, I don't know if I could have got it all done without everyones help. THANK YOU ALL VERY, VERY MUCH!!!!!

 

Glad we could help, btw, what did you end up doing to the engine? Did you do the valves like I said? Rebuild the motor?

 

1. The Service Engine Soon light was on: EGR malfunction code. It isn't a major problem that needs to be taken care of immediately is it?
2. There was a bubbling sound coming from the coolant resovoir after shutting off the engine, it seemed to stop after I got the coolant level right. First too full and did it, then too low and did it. Is this just because the level was wrong or is it something else?

I let the car war up for about 15 minutes, checked for leaks, found none, then drove it for about 10 miles, drove and sounded just fine. Back home to check for leaks again with after I shut it off, none found again. But there was a bubbling sound coming from the coolant resovoir. I siphoned out some coolant because it looked to full. Checked all fluids, everything was fine except tranny fluid had to add an additional quart, my mistake because I added 4 qts at first like it said for dropping the pan, and this morning before I started it it wasn't even on the dipstick so I added one. After I took if for a drive it was still low, but on the stick. Another qt later and it was all good. Drove the car about 25 miles to Autozone to have the Service engine soon light read, this was an EGR malfunction code. I cleaned it out before I put it back on, but maybe not good enough, or might just be shot. She had the light on before I ever did anything to the car, but it wasn't running and at the time I didn't know about the way to read the codes by the blinking light. He cleared it and it came right back on. I didn't figure the EGR malfunction to be a huge concern so I didn't really mess with it yet. Drove it 5 miles back to my sister's house and added A/C coolant. She drove me back home in it and I rechecked the fluids, all fine except I added that 6th qt of tranny fluid and added some coolant because I guess I siphoned too much out. After I added this last bit the bubbling sound hasn't happened again. She drove it home and she said it was just fine!!!

Sorry for the long post. Thanks again everyone!!

 

What I did to the engine:
Had head surfaced, cleaned and crack tested.
Cleaned valves, springs, all the head components.

Replaced:
Gaskets: Head, Valve cover, Spark plug tube seals, Tranny pan, and a couple others, can't remember off the top of my head
Water pump, Tensioner pulley, timing belt
Spark plugs and wires
Thermostat
Air and tranny filter
It seems there are a few other things I can't qute remember here either, lol. Long time span of having her car half apart.

I didn't do anything to the bottom end as she didn't really want to spend all that extra money on it. She, as well as I, am hoping that it's all good, which when looking at it the top of the pistons and the cylinder walls both looked just fine. But I know I didn't see the piston rods, caps, bolts whatever else, and they could be in horrible shape for all we know, but it's a gamble. Thanks again, I am very appreciative. Looks like I got another project to start soon lol. My dad's '97? Dodge Ram 5.2L? Burning oil like crazy, he thinks it's the rings, I can't decide if it's the rings or valves. Hopefully he gives me a little time off before he wants me to start on it though.

 

The only problem that I can see is that when you shave the head, it raises the compression and is hard on bottom ends with so many miles. Other than that good job! On the ram, how many miles does it have one it? 318's are excellent motors and usually do not need a bottom end rebuild, but there are plenty of exeptions.