i have a 2004 dodge neon sxt2.0L SOHC with 100,019 mies on it. i changed my plugs about 200 miles ago and now im hearing a knocking sound from the engine. its knock hard until it warms up and then it runs normal as usual. but ive also noticed the when itake the rpm to about 1500 and release the pedal i hear the knocking aganin until the rpm comes down to an idle. im using the champion copperplugs that were reccommended by dodge and have the gap set to .035. i have no clue why this is happening. itwasnt making this noise before i changed the plugs. will this cause serious damage to anything

 

It can cause damage. You might have some obstructions in your fuel system

 

Is it knocking or ticking?

 

it sounds more like a knocking sound...but it stops when the car warms up

 

Could be piston slap...which can/is normal on older neons. If it goes away after its warmed up, it's fine. I know people who have driven another 100,000-150,000 miles with piston slap.

 

ive also heard that the newer neons have hydraulic lifters. would it be possible thats whats making the noise

 

I have had the same problem ever since my car had only 8000 miles on it... I am up to 41,000 now, and the problem has not gotten any better or worse. Same symptoms: on a cold start (especially in the winter) there is a loud "tick" that resonates out of the top-driver's-side of the motor. After a few revs or a little bit of warm-up in the motor, it goes away completely and doesn't seem to degrade performance whatsoever. I've heard it is basically just an oiling problem that Neons are succeptable to in the winter or on cold starts (so for all of you people who cold-start your car and take off and hammer on it right away, beware).

FYI: my "tick" was caused by running Royal Purple 5W-30 in my car about three years ago. I put about 1200 miles on the "new" oil and filter and changed it right away... let's just say that with only 1200 miles of regular winter use, I drained my oil on a night when it was about 20 degrees out and the Royal literally flowed out like WD-40, and I noticed when I popped the cap on my valve cover it left behind a literal foamy mess... hopefully Royal Purple has changed their blend since then because if I would have left it in any longer who knows what would have happened.