I have a 2000 dodge neon, auto, While driving, the water pump locked up, ate through the belt and snapped it. After putting in some work and replacing the water pump(which was not easy with the motor still in by the way) I tried to start the car and it ran horrible. From what i read about these engines, they are "interference engines" which means that if they were to go out of time the valves would collide with the pistons. I think i can find a good used cylinder head for cheap, but is that all that will need replacing? Anyone have experience with this before? All help is appreciated!!! Thanks!

 

if the belt broke, the valves are crushed, i am suprised it runs at all honestly...

 

by crushed i ment bent

 

i have to agree with dtjackten. your valves are toast bro. but to answer your question, if you can find a cheap head, go for it. all you need to do is switch them out. make sure you pick up a gasket kit while your at it, since everthing will be off

 

i have a spare head dat i would part but shipping is might b expensive, i would let it go for cheap if u want it

 

while your at it you can get a r/t head for little more power I got one for $150

 

yea dats another plus, if u can get ur hands on a r/t head dats even better, 150 is cheap for a r/t head dat was a good find

 

I am probly gonna start taking it apart today, but my concern would be the pistons...does anybody think that those might be messed up? would the manifolds match up to the rt head also? Thanks for all your help fellas!

 

as long as the r/t is a 2gn then it should b fine. pistons should b fine da valves are the ones dat take the damage

 

Thanks bro. I started to take it apart and so far i got the intake and exhaust manifold off. only took me about an hour. The thing that i am dreading is the cam gear pulley/belt because it is such a tight space. I think thats about all im going to do today, but will probly tackle the rest tomorrow morning. I wish i could make a write up, but my digital camera is broken and cell phone pics just wont suffice.

This car has been sitting for so long i decided i should just work on it out of pure boredom. It belongs to my mom, but she has since gotten a new Hyundai and couldnt wait around for this one to get fixed. It has been very dependable and i would always enjoy driving it around when i could. I remember cruising around and racing little civics and accords and seeing the look on their faces when they just got beat by and auto neon!! haha
I own a Nissan NX2000 myself but would do all the routine maintanence work to all of our cars so i am somewhat familiar with this car already.

Thanks for all the help...I'll keep you updated.