Hello, I'm Jim. My daughter just bought a 1998 Neon Expresso. I think the hood has been replaced because the air intake part attached to the hood is no where near the part on the engine. It has the DOHC engine. Where can I get the proper part that attaches to the hood? Thanks in advance.

Also are there any chronic problems with this car that I should know about? I need to keep it running well for her.

 

how many miles are on it? automatic or manual? two door or four door?

 

probably the easiest place would be a local junk yard

 

You don't need that part.

 

It's a 4 door, 89,000 miles, automatic. Interior is very clean and the body is pretty good.It has every option but the sun roof. Also there'san oil leak somewhere. Are these cars known to have problems with leaks?It micht be the cam cover gasket. How difficult is this to chage. Few scratches and minor dents. I'm thinking it's sucking hot air from the engine compartment and would be better off getting fresh air. I'll check out some junk yards and maybe even E-Bay. They seem to have everything! Thanks all!

 

come 100,000 change the timing belt, water pump, and the tensioner since its a DOHC. and depending on if it has the MLS head gasket or not (the MLS came standard on the motors during the 98 year but only after a certain month), but if it does have the MLS (should be able to see like a flange on between the intake manifold somewhere) then you dont have to worry about the headgasket but if it doesn't then you should change it when your doing the timing belt (that is if the headgasket doesn't go bad before then). um. the leak could be from the cam sensor. or from the rear main seal. both are common leaking points. and the transmission, just make sure your put in ATF+4. no Dexron.

 

This is the most likely bet on the oil leak...you said it might be the cam sensor gasket well here you go you were probally right...
this is the tsb for your year dohc motor that probally leads me to belive its your problem....




SUBJECT: Oil Seepage At Cam Position Sensor/Misinterpreted Head Gasket Leak

NO: 09-07-98

GROUP: Engine

DATE: Dec. 11, 1998 THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 09-02-94, DATED MAR. 18, 1994, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES AND NOTED IN THE 1994 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN MANUAL (PUBLICATION NO. 81-699-95054). THIS IS A COMPLETE REVISION AND NO ASTERISKS HAVE BEEN USED TO HIGHLIGHT REVISIONS.

MODELS: [color=#000000]
1995 - 1999 (JA) Cirrus/Stratus/Breeze
1996 - 1999 (JX) Sebring Convertible (Export Market)
1996 - 1999 (NS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager
1995 - 1999 (PL) Neon
1997 - 1999 (GS) Caravan/Voyager (Export Market)

NOTE: THIS INFORMATION APPLIES TO MODELS WITH A 2.0L SOHC/DOHC OR A 1112.4L ENGINE.

DISCUSSION:

Whenever performing oil leak diagnosis on one of these models, carefully inspect the cam sensor area to determine if the leak originates from the seal or from other sources. A leak in this area can be misinterpreted as a leaking head gasket. Additionally, whenever a head gasket is replaced, the cam seal should always be replaced to prevent the possibility of the vehicle returning with oil seepage.

POLICY: Information Only

 

Thank you for the info. I'll have it checked out and let ya all know.

 

Well since it's so damn cold here with ice and all that good stuff, I brought the car to my mech. He found the pressure hose from the power steering is squirting fluid all over the engine. It's a pure bitch to get at so I'll let him do it. (Gettin' lazy in my old age). He ordered the part and it should get installed next week. He'll clean the engine and put dye in the oil just to make sure that'
s the only leak. Hope the head gasket is OK. Thank you to all that responded to my post .

 

Well I finally got it fixed. The pressure hose for the power steering was leaking and that soaked the belts with fluid, soooo both belts and the hose were replaced. Mech. said it doesn't look like the head gasket is leaking so we're keeping our fingers crossed. Thanks to all that helped.