2005 Neon SXT
my daughter rear ended someone and I am working on putting it back together and have a few questions. any help would be appreciated.

The 2nd chamber/port on the intake manifold is busted and it looks like the top of the two center ports might be able to unsnap and be replaced. Anyone familiar with this?

The reservoir and the pulley need replacing also. Is it easier to replace the reservoir and pulley with the pump on the engine? The bottom pump bolt looks like it might be impossible to get too if the reservoir was attached, and it doesn't look like there is much room to bolt on the reservoir once the pump is installed. Not to mention the difficulty of getting the pulley on in that tight spot.

 

I wouldn't count on them popping off. It'd probably be easier anyways just to get a new manifold. They shouldn't be very expensive at a junkyard.

What reservoir and pulley; power steering? You'll probably just need to remove the whole unit to have enough room to properly work on it.

 

i went to a couple yesterday. Not many neons out there. i saw one, not the same year. not sure if it was a match, got to check

 

does the pulley need to come off the p/s pump to install it? i'm thinking there is no way to get the bolt in with the pulley on

 

you will need to remove the whole pump to replace the pulley and tank, to get that bottom bolt you will have to take off your passenger tire and there will be a part of the fender well that is removable and that will get you access to that bottom bolt, you will need to turn the pulley to allow a socket to fit through the big hole of it to loosen it, another thing to remember is to be care full when you remove the well on the pump cause when you buy the new well they don't come with the gasket only new bolts, my gasket was bad so I took the old gasket to a auto parts store and found one that worked as a replacement for ten cents, and don't forget to bleed it good neons are touchy to bleed.

 

you should look into a Haynes or a chilton book for the car, they around 15 bucks but worth every penny, they will tell how to fix or replace anything, with good pics to help you locate things, I know it's not your car but I'm sure your daughter comes to you for any handy work she needs so it would be a good thing to have laying around.

 

Thanks for the replies

I had a "moment of AHHHHH" when I realized why there was holes in the pulley. I bought a used pump, complete with pulley and reservoir.

Whats the deal with bleeding it? how do you do that?

Also got a used intake for $40 from the same guy. I guess I'm gonna need a new gasket for that, or do you think it will be salvagable?

The radiator I ordered has "hose with clamps" fittings for the trans. The one that came out of my car had screw in fittings. I haven't had time to try but I think I might be able to unscrew the hose fittings and then screw in my existing lines. Ever come accross this?

 

I wouldn't risk using an old gasket to try and save a few dollars.

 

Yeah you're right.
It's more being lazy than cheap though, lol