Workin on the girlfriends '00/'02 Neon and I don't know alot of detail 'bout the thing. Does the '02 engine have replaceable cam bearings or do the cam journals ride right in the head without bearings? Got a strange growling noise at the passenger side of the head. Sounds like a really dry bearing. It doesnt do it cold, only after the engine starts to warm up a few minutes. Any ideas??

 

no bearings, I would guess that it's coming from inside the timing cover, I.E. waterpump, idler, tensioner

 

Hmmm...The water pump and belt are new. The idler bearing i guess could be making the noise. You know how when you listen to noises with a screwdriver to your ear??...well the noise is really pronounced at the end of the valve cover but not so much down below. Guess I'll try pulling the front cover back off and swap'n bearings.