1996 Plymouth Neon Engine Knock

DODGE NEON
Avatar
MELCAR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
96 plymouth neon expresso 94587 miles was driving car on freeway at about 65 mph when the car started knocking when i got off at the next exit and came to a stop the oil light came on when i took off the light went off the car kept knock. when i was able to look at the motor the oil was clean and at the full level. when i pull the third spark plug wire off the knocking seems to get quieter. what does this sound like?
Apr 29, 2006 at 10:14 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
JDL
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 16,098 POSTS
Sorry for the late reply.

I'd have to check your oil pressure before anything else. After oil pressure check, can you tell if noise is from top of engine or bottom of engine. If from the top remove valve/cam cover, check it out. If from the bottom, remove oil pan, see if any metal in the pan, maybe you lost a rod bearing.

I looked at oil pressure for dodge neon 2.0L base, 4psi at idle, 25--80 psi at 3000 rpms from my US database, didn't see expresso.
Mar 18, 2015 at 4:29 AM

Suggested Repair

Check oil pressure first (about 4 psi at idle and 25-80 psi at 3000 rpm on the 2.0L). Locate whether the knock is from the top or bottom of the engine. If it is from the top, remove the valve/cam cover and inspect. If it is from the bottom, remove the oil pan and look for metal; a failed rod bearing is possible. The quieter knock with the third plug wire removed suggests that cylinder is involved.

Conversation Summary

A 1996 Plymouth Neon Expresso with about 94,587 miles began knocking at highway speed. The oil light came on at a stop and went out when moving, while the oil looked clean and full. Pulling the third spark plug wire made the knock quieter. The expert advised checking oil pressure first, then determining whether the noise is from the top or bottom. A top-end noise calls for removing the valve/cam cover; a bottom-end noise calls for removing the oil pan to look for metal and a possible lost rod bearing.

Related Repair Questions

Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Ask a new question

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle