I have a 2002 Dodge Neon SXT & whenever I start it up, I hear a ticking/knocking in my motor. This also happens if I'm stopped, like at a drive thru or just sitting in my car with it on during my lunch break at work. I got three motor mounts changed a few months ago & this started after that. When I am at a red light or stop sign, my car will idle at 500 rpm's & shake really bad, but won't stall out. This only happens when my car feels like doing it, not constantly. And, is anyone else's neon loud? No matter what I do...my car is always growling & I would like to enjoy a quiet ride. This is my first car & I got it last year. Please help.

 

Welcome to DF! Going to move this to the Neon Section for you.

 

Thank you!!!

 

How many miles on your Neon? If it has a lot of miles, it wouldn't be unusual to have some ticking sounds, or even knocking, which is probably piston slap. Any idea what grade of oil is in the engine? I would recommend at least a 10W30. As engines wear, tolerances become larger and a thicker oil will provide more cushion. I'm sure the new motor mounts aren't helping the vibration issues. Because of the cost, most people use cheap aftermarket mounts that are made with a harder rubber, so they transmit vibration through the chassis much more than OEM mounts. Your idle is too low, so a good place to start might be to figure out why. A good tune up, maybe clean the IAC valve. Getting that idle up may just solve all your problems.

 

As for the loud part.. Is it loud from the exhaust or the engine itself? If it is the exhaust, you may want to put on a quieter muffler.

 

Does the engine noise stop, or get quieter, after you've driven the car for a bit?

 

Hi, I have similar issues as Dodgegirl20 does with her neon. Ironically mine is white as well. I only have low RPM when at a long stoplight/stop sign. and my oil light comes on after i fill my tank up or when I turn my car off after driving and start it back up right away or soon after shutting it off. I am not sure why that is. someone told me to check the mass air flow sensor and clean it and my RPMs will go up. is this true?

 

I have the 05' Neon SXT, and I have also owned a 2000 Neon, and both of them, have always had, rough idle issues at stop lights, signs, etc. What I have learned after owning Neons for 14 years, is all you can do, when at a light, is put the car in neutral, and back into drive, and it will smooth out. Also, if you have power windows, just push the switch, up or down, and hold the switch, like you are making sure the window is completely up or down, and putting a load, on the switch, puts a load on the alternator, and boost the idle just enough to smooth the engine out. What I know is, Dodge put low amp alternators on the Neon, and I believe putting a higher amp output alternator, will help with the engine idle issue with the Neon. Anyway I hope this helps a little.

 

lazy lifter most likely if it is at low idle. your lifter is not fully extended until under a load. Piston slap or a low end knock is quite different from a ticking noise kind of like hitting a desk with a pencil for the tick noise vs. a hammer or a much heavier object for the piston slap or low end knock!