i just bought a 98 sohc dodge neon w/ 90k miles

ok, im new with this car. i have had antifreeze leeking from somewhere and my car is badly overheating. everyone keeps telling me its my water pump, but i cant even see the water pump. could you tell me where it is? is there any other way to test a water pump? i also needed some advice or any other ideas as to what it could be before i take my car apart to replace it. i should probably change the timing belt since im gonna be down there anyway, right?
PS...i also noticed that as i was pouring water in the reserve, the water didnt start leaking until it was almost filled. could that help?

 

Yeah... It's about time to get the timing belt and water pump fixed... That's what happened to me and I had to go to a mechanic that charged me everything I had to fix my car!

 

The recommended interval for timing belt and water pump replacement is 105k miles. If you are near or past that point, get them both done (at 90k miles, I'd do it). The water pump is located on the passenger side, mounted in the block, tucked behind the pulley. There is a weep hole that should be dripping if the pump is really that bad. The water pump may or may not be the issue though. Is there fluid visibly leaking out from someplace? Could it just be a crack in the overflow reservoir? Are you having to frequently refill coolant becuse it is dropping below "min" on the reservoir?

Overheating is most often caused by a leak. The most common leak points are the radiator cap (rubber seal rotting), the radiator itself (metal corroding), the thermostat/housing (bad seal/gasket), and the various hose connections. It can also leak via the head gasket, which isn't nearly the problem it used to be with the updated design. Overheating will also happen if your rad fan(s) are not turning on when they should. Then there's the occasional faulty coolant temp sensor that makes you think you are overheating when you are not. In any case, you should try to narrow down the options before attacking the water pump...

Even with the new design for the head gasket, overheating is a quick way to blow one and/or warp the head.

Best of luck!

 

thank you all so very much, that really helped, and it was exactly where you said it would be, and it was the water pump. thankfully. i really appreciate all of you time and help.

 

Hi i just registered and am in the process of changing my water pump, timing belt, altenator and PS belts. I'm having difficulty removing the crank pulley. I have it most of the way off, about another 1/2 inch to go. How did you do it. I have a 97 neon 2L SOHC owned since new with no major problems since the head gasket at 100000Km, now has 265000Km on it. great little car.

 

Buy the right tool and it will be worth it's weight in gold. When we first did the headgasket we decided not to cheap out and bought the tool off ebay. Came with assorted rods to fit other chrysler veicles too. Came off with ease.

To put it back on we used another bolt, same size as the crank pulley one but longer, to get it on enough to get the real bolt on.