How many miles does this Neon have on her?

 

124,590 and she runs good! What my GF likes the most is the paint color (that cool metallic blue0, despite the couple of 3-4" paint peel. I am actually going to try to patch the paint with some Ford blue engine enamel (very close color). I will post pictures soon.

It is all coming together now! The white smoke is simply the car running really rich due to the O2 sensor failure. The loss of power, misfire, slight shake, all classic signs of bad O2 sensor. Both sensors (Bosch / 4-Wire / OE plugs) are about $120, and the books quotes 1/2 hour labor (to my surprise). I am probably going to do it at the shop and save myself the effort.

Thank you VERY much for your help.

 

Nice...Make sure you check the spark plugs after getting the new sensors for they are probably effected from the richness too...Enjoy the car!

 

yeah, that will be an easy and very cheap thing to look into, I might also change the wires while I am at it.

 

Good thinking...I dont know if you have done this, but buy a can of SeaFoam at an autostore...The best stuff to clean up carbon in the system

 

I added a can of Engine Restore when I first got the car to help with the power loss. I am going to change the oil this upcoming weekend and use SeaFoam before the next oil change is due.

 

I hear the bosch O2 Sensors are for crap. . . its better to get the ones that cost a bit more.

 

White smoke means you are burning coolant somewhere. You may have a headgasket leak. The code 21 showing up twice, just means that the PCM saw it twice. Check the wiring to the upstream O2 sensor, pull it out and clean with CRC electronics cleaner and put it back in. Clear the code and see if it comes back. If it comes back, then replace the sensor.

 

Ive got white smoke if they run rich enough. Usually its a weak spark case and the fuel evaporates and comes out as vapor / white smoke. Pull the plugs and see what they look like. If the gap is way too big check that out. If it has bad spark it wont burn the fuel, causing O2 sensor codes also. If its a 95 / 96 they were bad about the coil pack getting weak and making a ****ty spark.

 

Yep, those damn round plugs. You can change them to the flat pins with the MSD adapter.