All -

I'm new here and it looks like a great place to hang out. Anyway, I have a brand new 2005 SXT MTX Neon which has a pretty rough idle. Is this normal for the 2.0 SOHC engine? I researched other posts and saw references to NGK plugs to help smooth out the idle but should I have to worry about changing plugs with only 400 miles on the clock?

Thanks for the help!

-Paul

 

with 400 miles on the car, your best bet is bringing it back to the dealer and saying WTF, fix my car.

 

I am planning to take it to the stealership but I just want to make sure that a rough idle is not normal for the Neon's. I am expecting to hear from the service writer "that is totally normal for a Neon" but I wanted to be armed with some real life experience from all of you folks before going in.

Based upon what I have heard so far the Neon should idle rather smoothly. Is that everyone else's experience as well?

Thanks again.

-Paul

 

I've had vibration on my 01 Neon. It has 106K on it. I changed over the plugs to NGKs, but I think my particular problem is depper than that. It now stutters every so often. I think I need to new wires. Also, my motor has a lot of noise, I think piston slap, when idling or accelerating under load in too low of an rpm (less than 2K). Kinda sounds like a diesel. If the rpm gauge is jumpy, (mine drops when it stutters) get it checked out.

 

Thanks '01'. I have watched the tach needle very closely and it does not seem to flucuate. But the engine vibrates a bit and you sure can feel it in the cabin. Time to go to the dealer.

-Paul

 

You will hear a tick at idle when the motor is cold, that is normal, all neons do it. Other than that there is something wrong.

 

I EXPERIENCED THE ROUGH IDOL AS WELL STILL WAITING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I ONLY HAVE 3000 MILES ON MY 05 NEON, ALSO HAS ANYBODY EXPERIENCED A LIKE A BUCKING FEELING WHEN LIKE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IT SEEMS LIKE MY ENGINE IS PULLING. IT;S KINDA WEIRD BECAUSE IT DOES'NT GO AWAY NO MATTER HOW WARM YOUR CAR IS. IF ANYBODY KNOW'S ANYTHING PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

 

A little rough idle on these is normal, but there is a pcm software update available for some of the early built 05's for some drivability improvements. This update may not apply to your car and even if it does you might not get the results you want. If they do tell you it is normal, they may let you drive another 05 neon on the lot to compare to. If a new one does the same thing, it might be something you have to live with.

 

If anyone decides to take it to the dealer, please lemme know what happens.
I have that same vibration feeling when on park. It only happens everyonce in awihle, and it's
kinda hard to notice, but yeah if there's a problem, I want the dealership t deal with it.