This is my first post here (hi), and I'm looking for a few answers.

My gf has an 01 base neon with 120K on the clock.

Just lately the motor has started ticking (not internal ticking). It is obviously coming from the passenger side of the engine compartment and I'm thinking it could be that the pulley(s) need to be replaced. It is a very audible very consistant tick at idle.

I dont regularly work on these cars...only when her car needs something done. I've always been a GM guy, so I'm not sure what the first things I should be looking for would be.

Any suggestions?

 

It is common for neons to have Valve tap and it gets worse as you put more miles on the engine..... there was a how-to posted somewhere about how to reduce/eliminate it but it does require some serious work.... so use the search and search for Valve Tap and go from there

 

I'm inclined to believe it isnt valve tap or I would think I would hear it more ontop of the motor...this sounds like it is coming down from the side of the motor. It also doesnt tick fast enough to sound like valve tap.

So I'm thinking it's either a pulley, timing belt, timing cover...or something along those lines making the noise.

 

alternators making ticking noises before they go bad too...

 

+1... it could also be from the timing belt too.... i would change the alternator first and the serpentine belt as well just to see if that could be the problem..... and question.... at 90k miles did she have the timing belt changed? if not it might def be the timing belt..... you may want to check the oil and water pumps as well.....

 

A couple people have told me that they had the WP go bad, so I was leaning towards it probably being that right now although I'll check the alt as well.

I'm not sure if the timing belt was ever changed...it was her sisters car before she got it and I have no idea how her sister treated the car.

I'm going to pull the belt off tomorrow and turn the pulleys by hand to see if I can find anything clunky.

How long does it take to swap the timing belt on one of theseassuming I'm pretty proficient with digging into motors?

 

3-5 hours at most.

 

Look at the belt and pulleys. Checkif the water pump is weeping, or the engine temp is erratic. If so, change the pump. I had a A/C clutch go out and it ticked loudly just before it failed. If you start the engine without the belt and ticking goes away, it's one the aux. components. If the timing belt has not been replaced, I'd do it.

 

You know that might be it then...she said her AC seemed to be on the fritz. Hmmm...hopefully that's it, because that wont be to tough.

I'll find out if her timing belt was ever changed...if not maybe I'll have something to do this weekend.

Thanks for your help.