Just curious before I get to pullin crap off the neon if anyone has heard of a free travel engine? Supposedly to keep valves from bending when belt breaks? I have had 5 people tell me that my neon might be "newer" in the sense that my poor little valves didn't get bent in the process? I am just frustrated b/c I can't even afford a new timing belt much less an engine overhaul!! Thanks for your help!!

 

Even if someone has heard of it, which is more commonly called a non-interference engine, it doesn't change the fact that the Neon has an interference engine. It's the same engine throughout the years.

 

if you were near me, I'd buy your car. but he's actually right, a broken timing belt in a Neon = bent valves (90% or better chance). won't be all 16 valves so you can save some money. but just about every shop is going to charge you over $600 for this fix. best thing to do is take $500 and buy an early 90's toyota corolla or Geo Prizm and you'll never need to put a penny in it for any major repairs.

 

Okay, thanks! Doesn't it just figure, as soon as you get a car paid off...........!!

 

How many miles were on the car when the belt broke?

 

Going through the same thing! I'm over $800 with everything that i have replaced and im doing it myself!

I'm praying for you!

Nathan

 

I I have a 2005 Dodge Neon my timing belt stripped 15 teeth without bending a valve so if that helps I recommend going in replacing the timing belt water pump if needed and check the police I have the 2 liter 16 valve engine after I put a new timing belt and reset the time it cranked like a champ hope this helps what's your confidence that you didn't bend any valves that was my big panic

 

lol...that post you quoted was from 7 years ago.