I just recently purchased a 2000 Dodge Neon with a 2.0 SOHC. 3 speed Auto. I drove it into town where it overheated. I added water and that and it continued to over heat. I then replaced the thermostat and added more water and that didnt work.

I was told it was the head gasket was replaced but... I am not sure it was done right. I was wondering what it could be.

It also makes a bubbling noise after i shut it off, What is that about??!! After it overheats it smokes and smells really bad. Not sure what it could be. I am going to change the oil to see if that works cause the oil light is on and maybe some Mobil 1 Syenthetic will do it good!!

Anyways if someone can help that would be cool. Reply on here or email me at usmcracer45@gmail.com

Thanks
Kenneth Feeney

 

you will probally get more help in the 2nd gen section

 

the bad smell, what does it smell like? is it burining through coolant? probably what you hear bubbling is the coolant boiling

 

Flush the coolant...look for any leaks and deffinetely change the oil for starters. I've heard of bad radiator caps after a crash not working right. I haven't had any problems with mine, but you might want to look at that.

 

I thought the motors were the same as the 1st gen. Neons. Anyway it sounds like the head might have to come off again. I wouldn't put synthetic in, use a good quality standard oil because I have a feeling that there are more problems than an oil change will solve. Engine bearings hate antifreeze.

 

no the motors are different. Oil level good? Any engine codes?

 

How so? Some things are different, but basically the same.

Are you adding coolant as well? Water will just boil off.

 

the pcms are different i think right along with the 1st gens have the egr valves.

 

Yes the PCM's are different, but I can run the 2000 engine in a 1st gen with a 1st gen PCM and wiring harness.

I was speaking directly about the engine itself.

 

Das2123 and DJ:

The Engine itself has seen very little change, the SOHC 2.0 Liter 16 Valve engine. The only difference in the engines throughout the 1st gen to second gen transformation was the layout of the engine bay, intake manifold design alongside intake design, and other misc. things. However, the inner-workings of the engines have pretty much stayed the same. I thought I remembered hearing one thing they changed but can't remember if it was internal or not. (if you look at our engine bay, you can see the engine was not a primary concern. Reason: The Neon engine is so cheap with so many stockpiled and laying around, if something in the engine goes bad it is easier for the factory to simply replace the engine than to actually work on it...)

RacinDirt35:

I would do a complete radiator flush, buy a new head gasket, grab a good non-synthetic oil(unless synthetic is already IN the engine. 10w-30 is always a good choice but it is really personal preference), and sit down and do it.

The easiest way to drain the fluid is to unclip the radiator hose at the bottom by the radiator. It is not the easiest thing to GET to but once you can reach it it's pretty straight forward.

Grab a good socket wrench (make sure you have a good ft-lbs torque wrench) and unbolt your head. You will know you have a bad head gasket if the material is either:
a.) Soaked
b.) Shows serious deterioration/is damaged

If it looks ok, it doesn't hurt to replace the head gasket (as our engines are notorious for those bast***s).

Refill the radiator with half anti-freeze half water or whatever is instructed by the anti-freeze you use.

Run the engine for maybe about a minute to circulate the anti-freeze AND to heat up some of the oil so it flows out easier.

Then, after buying some oil and an oil filter, drain the oil and fill it up with 4 quarts. Start the engine again for maybe a minute and fill it up with an additional .5 of a quart.

Drive it around easy and see if the problem goes away.


If you want to check codes during any of this feel free. Just turn your key to accesseries 3 times really fast and the place where your mile-age reads will read "done" and then spit out any engine codes.