Rad mixing with tranny fluids causing shifting problems is an undestatement.

That makes a pretty corrosive compound which will demolish the transmission pretty fast. Even if you catch it early and correct the problem, it's too late if the mixture got in to the tranny. I've had this happen. Gears start to slip. As the problem progresses they will slip more often. For me, the last stage was the car wouldn't shift in to third. Took 4 months before I had to have the tranny rebuilt. Glad it held out. Scrounged up the money just in time.

 

Thanks for the reply, I don't think this is what i'm experiencing at all, no slippage just shifts hard. I don't see any more of that film after I've cleaned it so that's good.. Appears as if the Gas cap order was "lost", I should see it this week..
Will keep you posted and thanks a million again

 

sorry for the delay in updating, was away and busy.. anyway, here's the scoop.. got a new cap and all was well for about 2 weeks then light comes on again, same code, checked evap for leaks and brought to shop to check, the found nothing and cleared the code.. we'll see what happens in the next few weeks. as far as shifting, still shifts hard but I'm learning to live with it..
Thanks again

 

I believe that is the EVAP code that I got myself. It was caused by one of the hoses that comes off of the charcoal canister becoming cracked to all hell. Easy fix though. It is the one on the left. Check it out

 

I will.. it's located behind the fuel tank right?
P.S. awesome info all the time...you are THE MAN!!!

 

It is in front of it on the right side, looking at the car from the back. Very near the RR wheel and tire. I hope that explains the area a bit. Very easy to see though, it is just a black square looking deal hanging there in the open with three hoses coming off of it. If it is cracked, let me know and I'll tell you how to proceed from there.

 

Perfect, will check later tonight...
On an unrelated note, any idea how to cure brake squeek/squeal? Replaced pads/rotors Drums/shoes, all with NEW parts. Not the cheapies and not the top of the line. Mid priced, (Replaced pads and shoes twice actually as I had originally opted for the less expensive stuff) Everyone tells me that Neons are notorious for this, the second set of pads/shoes is better but it's still there, any suggestions or just live with it?

 

Mine still do every now and then, and I cleaned and greased everything. Oh well.

 

I just bought an 04 SX 2.0 and the hard shifting happens to me between 2nd and 3rd gear either with acceleration or deceleration. took it to the shop and they didnt find anything wrong with it.

 

Have you tried a fluid and filter change? If those are older, a fluid and filter change fixes a lot of minor problems. That, and making sure the fluid is at the correct level.