I just bought a 1997 Dodge Neon SOHC, 143k miles, there is a slight tick to the engine, but seems to do fine on the road.

It was recently stalling on Idle, It may have been low gas (almost Empty), I have filled the tank up, I have replaced the wires with Duralast gold wires, and the plugs with NGK Iridium IX, as well as a new Fram air filter I plan to do an oil change Friday. I'm thinking Valvoline MaxLife 5W30, and a Fram High Mileage Oil Filter.

I originally thought it might have been Piston slap but others I have spoken to seem to disagree.

One person seems to think it's a spun bearing. Another thinks its a cracked exhaust manifold, I was thinking it might be a lifter, or even a pully.

Originally the car would stall after 10 mins, start back up, stall at 5 mins, not start for 15, than start back up, I have replaced the terminals, and that issue is gone now with more fuel, however the engine light is coming on when Idle, I can let the car idle for well over 45 mins with no stalls.

 

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I added videos, hoping this may help someone with diagnosing my problem(s).

 

Have you checked the oil level? What is the code from the check engine light?

 

The oil is a bit brown, and the only codes I am getting is a 12 and 55, I don't own a diagnostic tool, so I cant check those myself. The oil however is not golden, but in the change range I would say, but not black either.

 

Neons run better on copper spark plugs. Champions specifically.

 

12 and 55? How did you determine this? Who checked them then? Those codes are typical of OBD1 not OBD2. You should have a "P" code followed by a 4 digit number typically.

I meant the level of the oil, not the color. If it's low on oil it would cause noises.

Buy yourself a code reader. You can get them for less than $20 nowadays. Best tool you can own.

 

Oh I was refering to the CEL codes

On, Off, On, Off, On

 

I was referring to the cel. How are you checking the codes?

 

I just turn the ignition key on, off, on, off, on

And I count the number of times the Check Engine Light blinks

 

Well there is no such OBD2 code as 12 and 55. Now, on OBD1, 12 means an air flow system fault, code 55 means IAC valve position sensor fault. But that is for OBD1. 96 and later cars are OBD2 and there are no such codes and you need an actual code reader to retrieve the codes. Do us all a favor, head to the nearest auto parts store and have them scan for codes. Won't cost you anything.