Heya new to the group. I just bought a 2000 Dodge Neon for 50 bucks from a friend who is going away for a long time. The car is not in that great of shape inside wise but I have done some work to the motor myself. Here is the deal. I think I got some water in my gas tank I was going about 60 MPH and the car started jerking and trying to stall out. I would try to gas it a little and it seemed to wanna down shift and not get any gas to it. I took it too Autozone and they said it was a bad spark plug on number 4. So I ended up buying all 4 anyway just to save me time down the road. It seems to be running ok now but I can still feel the small hesitation when I drive it. Any suggestions on what else this may be?

Also when I changed the plugs I had alot of Oil in number 4 and number 2. Is this a bad sign and what can I do to fix this problem? My son and I are wanting to trick this car out but I wanna get it running right first before we do this. Any help would be much appreciated and sorry for the long read.

 

ok the oil means that you have bad seals on the tube thingy that the spark plug is in. its not that hard to fix i dont think. depending on how much money you wannaput into this car to make it work right, considering you bought it for 50 lol, id also change the spark plug wires. and throw a bottle on injector cleaner on your next fill up, just to be safe. how many miles are on the car btw? just remember, before you wanna do anything performance, or looks wise, i would get it running good first.

 

I would definitely make sure the car is in good running order before doing any visual/performance mods--make sure the car is worth the money--you only spent $50--why would you throw money into a car that wouldn't work?!?

I would do a tune-up, check your brakes, change your plugs, like Spikeymikey said put a bottle of injector cleaner in there and maybe even some dry gas (get the water out of the lines)--check all your fluids (transmission, brake, windshield washer, etc...) Change your plugs and wires--see how it runs then. Also maybe an oil change, all that good stuff--then think of the other mods.

 

Hell....

Id do a full engine build up if you just bought it for 50 bucks.


Spend the 6 grand you would have spent for the car off a lot re-building the bottom end with new parts. *squirms like school girl at the thought*

then you could go and by new valve springs, cam, port and polish the cylinder head...

oh man. you could build up the engine entirely, put it back in, and then it would be running pretty pistine if you ave no fuel problems from the get go

 

I replaced the cooliong system about 2 weeks back. New H20 Pump New Radiator, New hoses, etc. I put in some stuff the guy at the parts store reccomended, Lucas Injector Cleaner. I changed the front and back brakes, added transmission fluid was a little low. I would like to replace the oil pan or gasket I can't tell exactly where it is leaking from. the Car currently has 228,233 miles and I have had it about 3 months now and this is the first time I have had problems with it. I just checked the spark plugs I asked about earlier and see no Oil now so I dunno when the last time the guy did anything with it.

I def wanna get this car in running order, it has potential and don't mind spending the money on it. I had a 98 Neon that ran all the way up to 350k before the engine went lol. All I had done to that was had a system with DVD in it, nothing special but you could hear me from a mile away. This may sound stupid but where do I get dry gas from and which brand would ya'll reccomend?

 

I couldn't agree with you any more. I'd have a block on the way right now.

 

F engine builds. I would have an srt motor and trans in about a day if it was me. That would be easier.

 

Or build an SRT-4 motor up. LOL.

 

Srt motor in that bish!

 

Yea I think I will end up doing just that. Any sites I can refer to to make sure I can fit the SRt in my neon? I was just surfing E-Bay and found a couple I wouldn't mind bidding on. has been a while since I rebuilt a motor. Last Car I rebuilt was a 1987 Monte Carlo SS with the SE 305. Bored over 40, Six Pack, 4-11 Rear Posi, etc. Ended up having to sell because of speeding tickets lol imagine that eh. I would also like to add power windows in the car too. Wanna rip out the seats and carpet add new interior. Might just go factory with this stuff for the time being. Thanks for any info, ya'll are good in my book