Can any one tell me what the engine knock I get is? When the car starts in the cold I get a knock low down in the motor. Once warmed up a little it disappears. I have read some information on the internet and it says there is a problem with the motor on this model and the timing belts and pulley bearings let go every 60K. I believe the dealer replaced all that at 65K but he was very reluctant to tell me what was done and why. All they said was they replaced the short block assemblely and the knock disappeared. Now at 135K it is back. The car is 2001 Neon Canadian 2.0L 16 valve engine. Any help would be appreiated.

 

sound like its time for another short block, how is your maintence schedule, usually vehicles that tear up blocks that fast are poorly maint.

 

Car has been maintained to a high standard. All oil changes, tune ups, Dealer serviced up to 110,000 K and service regularly since then. I do not baby the car but it has never seen 140 kph in its life. Highway driven at 80 to 110 kph average on two lane pave roads. Five speed stick shift, clutch is good, I drive 55,000 K a year back and forth to work and pleasure. The start up knocking sound will also come and go depending on the weather. Extreme cold it is quiet and extreme heat it is not there. There seems to be no effect on proformance or fuel mileage but it is there. ???????

 

May be worth having the dealer look at it, make sure to take in the night before so they can look at it cold in the AM. Weird that it comes and goes, usually lower end noise is pretty consistent.

 

MyselfHave the exact same problem, 2001 RT. I have had this problem also since about 60k miles. I change the oil EVERY 3,000k. My old neon did the same thing "98", I bought both new so I know they were taken care of. One way to make the engine quieter is to add STP 4 cylender engine treatment ((red Bottle)walmart usually) and its only around 2 bucks. Now I am pretty sure this isnt something to worry about because I have driven the car over 120k more miles and it still has the same cold knock when cold outside (Ohio) ~40c to well below freezing. I plan on driving the car untill it quits if it ever does. I am at 178k and no probles at all so far, not even a sensor..

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are you sure what your describing is a knock and not more like ticking? i have owned two neons, an 00 highlineand currently an 02 es and both cars seem to have a mild ticking in the engine at idle. i have come to the conclusion that its coming from the hydaulic lifters. when i rev it up a little bit, the sound goes away as the oil pressure rises. i run the suggested 5w-30 oil and make regular changes and im at 68k with my current neon.