Can't get away from Neon's

Do you have a project going or will you be starting a project here very soon and just want to keep a log of everything you and when? Share with everyone every step of the way what sort of progress you are making on your project.
04rebel
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Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Fri May 29, 2020 7:35 am

Okay, Thought I'd start one here as I will end up maintaining this somewhat near to family vehicle. Yes my son's 04 base model will probably soon become a donor car to the 04 SXT that his girlfriend of 3.5 years just bought last evening. I went with them to "check it over" and am JEALOUS. A true one owner old lady vehicle. Body metal and underneath in near perfect condition(yes I even pulled the spare out). The owner wanted $1.200 but quickly accepted an offer of $950.
MUCH of big normal work has recently been done, but I have a short list of things to do to bring all "up to snuff" for this young lady's FIRST CAR. I told my son that HE will be involved in ASSISTING with this work or I will NOT get involved with it...He agreed!
My short list by priority to pass Pa. inspection(the car is here in NY 15 miles from home)
(1) Parking brake not working, pulls all the way up and even fast double pul does not help.
(2) 122k miles and original timing belt and water pump. GOTTA do that.
(3) Ventilation control panel is messed up Got to open up and see just what it needs

Don't have to worry about the following, they are NEW within the last 6 months
lower control arms/ball joints , tie rods,struts(all 4), all new brakes/rotors/drums calipers/wheel cyls.,spark plugs/wires/coil, HEATER CORE AND EVAPORATOR.
She basically handed me a 3 ring binder of recites for all this and more than I listed above.

Part of my son's help will be to get pic's of car and in progress work AND help me post them here. Will also put some pic's of his Neon and probable soon to be parts donor for this SXT. It is not a first choice in color being Silver, but for a car in as good of shape here in the rustbelt, and going to be a first car and money involved, the young lady did VERY WELL!

STAY TUNED!

occasional demons
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by occasional demons » Fri May 29, 2020 8:45 am

Silver is not my favorite color, but somehow I have seemed to own a fair amount of silver cars, because the bang for the buck exceeded my dislike for the color.


I don't mind it as an accent color, but for the entire car, it doesn't thrill me. :lol:

I guess I will settle for a color choice that doesn't excite me, over paying much more, or waiting, which in itself can get expensive, depending on the situation.

For a new car purchase, I would definitely not settle, but used cars are a completely different matter.
Bill
Olha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCM
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester

04rebel
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Fri May 29, 2020 8:53 am

At least it was NOT white(no offense meant to others). both I and family AND most important to the young lady, none of us like all white cars for our own vehicles. They do look sharp, but just as demanding as black to keep clean. AND we have aversions to the color in winter snows here. I had an all white T&C and would become invisible in most of our heavy normal winter snows! ;)
Heading out soon to tow dolly the car to her home near Bradford, Pa. Yes they have had a "long distance" relationship for the last 2 years!

occasional demons
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by occasional demons » Fri May 29, 2020 8:55 am

I would also make her get involved too, as it is her car, and she should at least have some comprehension of how things function, and develop some appreciation of what it takes to fix things.

I made my daughter help out in fixing the little issues her first car had. They tend to be a bit more cautious driving, and not running it when something is wrong, when some of their blood sweat and tears were put into it.
Bill
Olha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCM
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester

occasional demons
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by occasional demons » Fri May 29, 2020 9:07 am

I don't know that there are a lot of white 2gn's. As far as I can remember, the only white ones I have seen are ACR's and SRT's, and even those are not common.

In my area, I have not seen one white 2gn. Ever.

There have been only a handful on here; Danteneon's ACR, and MyNeonSaysHi's SRT being the only two that stand out in my memory. Danteneon's "Chtear" was the only one I have seen in the flesh.

viewtopic.php?f=51&t=28684
Bill
Olha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCM
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester

04rebel
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Fri May 29, 2020 4:51 pm

Been back home now for a bit, and thought I'd update. The Silver Mercury as it has been named is with the young lady and as soon as can be plated when DMV's reopen will be brought back to me to do needed work. I figure she and car to stay with us for 3 days(of course the "lovebirds" don't mind at all).
The young lady did not care for white for ANY car to investigate buying, this Neon just happened to show up on a facebook "for sale" posting. AND she's spent 3 yrs riding shotgun in my sons red 04 and liked the overall ride and visibility from inside it. She is a wisp of a figure little lady and uncomfortable in many larger size auto's

In NY the phone company Verizon used the base Neon using 03 and 04 models as fleet vehicles for a few years, ALL WHITE and then their logo's stickered all over them. When done with them, they sent them to auto auctions in batches or allowed employees to purchase individually. I think they got rid of all around 2007

Pic's to come soon...son forgot to take pic's unloading it!

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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by Midnight_Rider » Fri May 29, 2020 5:16 pm

https://www.allpar.com/neon/
The Neon ceased production on September 23, 2005, after a two-generation, nearly-thirteen-year run. Its legacy included awards, trophies, and squandered opportunities.

BAPworker said: “The last Neon was an SXT. There are a couple of hundred signatures on the floor, under the carpet. The car before it was an SRT-4, white as all Neons and SRTs were the last two days of production.


i just remembered reading this about white Neons.
Official "I'm Going To Drive My Neon 'til It Dies" Club #10

04rebel
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Wed Jun 03, 2020 8:02 pm

6/3/20 Update
Pa DMV's have reopened(I wish NY would do the same) Trying to coordinate her getting plates and ins. to give as much of the 10 day temp inspection to get the car back up here for me to do the needed work and be back in Pa for insp. Waiting on within a days notice of parts delivery from rockauto ordered parts to have the young lady proceed with the process.
She has cleaned the car inside and out(it needed it badly) and has been practicing parking manuevers in her families driveway One thing I failed to mention is that she currently only has her learners permit and is wanting to get enough experience driving to take her road test and license before the summer is over for hoped for returned to college and prospect of having to drive to student teaching assignments in the fall should the Covid-19 thing go away enough!

04rebel
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Sun Jun 07, 2020 6:46 am

6/07/20 UPDATE
Timing belt kit(pump+ tensioner) has arrived and "donor" parts are available. Looks like Wednesday is the planned starting day for work to begin and work thru the weekend!

04rebel
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:11 am

6/14/20 UPDATE

Well let's wrap up the INITIAL work for Pa. (I'm a NY'er) Safety Inspection and NEEDED repairs/maint.
Parking brake was found to be MISSING parking brake arms inside the drums....Donors from son's car and PB works perfectly
Ventilation Controls found cables pulled out of locking clips at control panel...reset and checked for operation all good. On the "down side, Found that the A/C will not work due to me missing seeing that previous heater core work, the accumulator was left out, and NOT going to even try at this point to finish up that work as I'm not big into A/C repair.
Timing Belt job went smoothly yet with my bad back, was able to do that job(yes pump + tensioner) in 6 hours.
Found a few "little things to make all things right with the motor that took a little more time...as follows
Fix tailpipe end muffler hanger, the muffler end rod had broken.
replace oil pressure sender
was missing lower radiator rubber mounts(donors from son's car)
Oil and filter change and coolant flush and refill with fresh antifreeze
Door inner window seals were displaced, son took panels off and resecured them
front bumper fascia had taken some abuse and pulled apart from the plastic fill panel on both the fascia and radiator support locations. Got all secured back together nicely. Will at a later date repair the one rip in center lower fascia with JB WELD (for Plastics). my son and I worked together on that one.

Will be "escorting" the "lovebirds" back to her home today so she can drive some more and we bring son back home. Her mother and sig. other can then make arraignments for needed annual safety inspection
All work was done over 2.5 days and all went smoothly ....Son ONCE AGAIN FORGOT to take PICTURES

Stay tuned for future installments!!!!

occasional demons
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by occasional demons » Sun Jun 14, 2020 10:37 am

A/C would need to be "evacuated" to get any moisture out, being open with the missing accumulator. The way I did ours, was to buy the parts, and new seals, then waited for an A/C special, scheduled the appointment, and before I took it, installed the parts that morning, and they evac'ed and filled it. The A/C special was for $50. So I made out pretty well. That was probably 8 years ago, so I doubt you will find a price that good now.

And you have to hope the condenser, evaporator, etc has no damage to where they can't charge it. In my situation, the A/C worked when we bought it, for a short time, but the PO had did some hack things, and the hard line was rubbing until it wore through. So I knew what needed replaced/what the issue was.

A/C is one convenience that the repair costs can add up quickly.
Bill
Olha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCM
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester

04rebel
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Sat Jun 20, 2020 9:00 am

6/20/20 UPDATE:
The Neon (now permanently named LUNA) sailed thru Pa.(non smog test area) inspection on Friday.
Son took some pics last Sunday and downloaded them to my PC, BUT my poor PC skills have me unable to move them into the forum here as of yet. PART TWO of his task was to help me get them from computer onto the page here...I'm still waiting....
I'm considering taking the accumulator and some piping(just to be safe) from my son's Neon when it finally gets replaced by the coming Journey and installing it to LUNA. Checked a local shop that I trust and does A/C service work, and they say $80.00 to evacuate/test and refill IF system holds. I'm fairly certain either the Condenser or the Evaporator is what went on my son's Neon that I've posted about last year.

STAY TUNED!

occasional demons
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by occasional demons » Sat Jun 20, 2020 11:21 am

You'll need a photo hosting site like imgur or flickr to post pictures. Stay away from Photobucket.
Bill
Olha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCM
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester

04rebel
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Location: ZIP 14777 , Western NY

Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Wed Jul 01, 2020 10:35 am

7/1/20 UPDATE:
To all the members here in the USA....Happy INDEPENDENCE DAY!
LUNA is doing VERY WELL and has had 400 miles put on her odometer. My son's girlfriend took her Pa. drivers road test yesterday and PASSED to get her full drivers license(she'll be 21 in Dec.). She now has a great INDEPENDENCE having MOBILITY to travel on her own and not be having to get rides from others.
In fact she is driving up on Sat. to pick my son up and travel to my daughter and son in laws for a 4th of july party for members of their wedding party(Oct. 2019). Parents are excluded from the "event"!

On a response note to previous reply...
I do not have or want accounts for such as "imgur" or "flicker", but will talk to my computer geek son about it SOON! I don't do any social media sites.

occasional demons
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by occasional demons » Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:30 pm

04rebel wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 10:35 am


On a response note to previous reply...
I do not have or want accounts for such as "imgur" or "flicker", but will talk to my computer geek son about it SOON! I don't do any social media sites.
They are more of a Photo hosting site. People can mak comments on flickr, but I wouldn't necessarily consider it social media.

This forum is basically a social media site...
Bill
Olha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCM
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester

04rebel
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Wed Jul 01, 2020 1:44 pm

occasional demons wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:30 pm
04rebel wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 10:35 am


On a response note to previous reply...
I do not have or want accounts for such as "imgur" or "flicker", but will talk to my computer geek son about it SOON! I don't do any social media sites.
They are more of a Photo hosting site. People can mak comments on flickr, but I wouldn't necessarily consider it social media.

This forum is basically a social media site...
I know that these forums are basically "social media", but I don't want added accounts to use them. All the other forums I participate on can load pictures straight from my computer without imgur and such. I don't have FB,Twitter or such for a few reasons.
Hope the best for you and maybe a HAPPIER Independence DAY!

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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by Midnight_Rider » Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:06 pm

04rebel wrote:
Wed Jul 01, 2020 1:44 pm
I don't have FB,Twitter or such for a few reasons.
Probably the same reasons that I have so you're not alone.
Official "I'm Going To Drive My Neon 'til It Dies" Club #10

04rebel
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Fri Aug 07, 2020 4:17 pm

Been a month since last posting...
Luna is doing quite well and looking sharp and has only used 1/2 quart of motor oil in the 2k miles that the young lady has put on it since getting it.
Going to swap the radiator fans and accumulator for A/C from my son's Neon this weekend. Last time Luna was up I noticed that the secondary fan motor's electrical connector had been broken off the motor(something I didn't catch when doing the timing belt)
10- days from now Luna will be heading off to COLLEGE...yes they opened the schools up in NY...with many restrictions and rules!

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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by MyNeonSaysHi » Mon Aug 17, 2020 2:35 pm

Glad the Neon is doing good!

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04rebel
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Mon Aug 17, 2020 6:11 pm

MyNeonSaysHi wrote:
Mon Aug 17, 2020 2:35 pm
Glad the Neon is doing good!
Luna is now checked into college TODAY! Her owner is now a Junior and has a single occupancy dorm room. Rules prohibit visitors, so son can't go visit her very easily or often. Somehow I have a feeling that we will have a weekend visitor here probably every other weekend and using our spare bedroom!
I am happy for the young lady that Luna turned out to be a real GEM for our rustbelt area!

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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Tue Sep 15, 2020 9:10 am

Well LUNA and son's girlfriend are still "dorming it" at college and both doing well. Her classes are all "on line" and no "student teaching" placements for the semester, as was supposed to be. LUNA is doing fine out in the paved parking lot and gets an occasional drive out for food supplies as the young lady has "sequestered" herself to her private dorm room and is not using campus meal plan much.
Sunday my son took his Journey to pick her up for a day at my daughter and son in laws BILLS home opener party. He LOVES his new ride and the GF also has given her enthusiastic approval to the car, SHE just does NOT approve of the name given it....JUDY...with a big "booty"! He's put almost 1k miles on it in a couple weeks, and so far the only "glitch" has been a RR tire sensor that reads all over the scale for pressure but does not blank out like a dying sensor does. He does say that he misses the fuel economy of his old BABY Neon!

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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by occasional demons » Tue Sep 15, 2020 9:53 am

It could be worse... Cass with a big .... :lol:
Bill
Olha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCM
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester

04rebel
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Tue Sep 15, 2020 11:36 am

occasional demons wrote:
Tue Sep 15, 2020 9:53 am
It could be worse... Cass with a big .... :lol:
HaHa..Yeah I hear you! I'm not offering any names, it's HIS ride.

occasional demons
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by occasional demons » Tue Sep 15, 2020 11:48 am

Naming my car is something I never really have done. Which is kind of odd, because I generally keep them until they are beyond any sort of resale value. Or they meet an untimely demise.

My wife or children/grand children will give them names, but I just refer to them as what they are.

My granddaughter has dubbed my Impreza as "Sally", from the Nightmare before Christmas, because the zip ties I used to put the front fascia back together after the doe went jihad on me, look like stitches.

Image
Bill
Olha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCM
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester

04rebel
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Posts: 279
Joined: Thu May 09, 2019 6:38 am
Location: ZIP 14777 , Western NY

Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Tue Sep 15, 2020 1:53 pm

I used to often change cars, so rarely named them. The only one I can remember doing so is our 98 Avenger ES that I did name GEM. Sadly it is sitting in hibernation and in need of substantial work IF called into action again(brake lines, struts,EVAP leak) I still start and move her around in the drive every other week. Insurance costs prohibit keeping it on the road with the G6gt the Journey and my T&C!

occasional demons
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by occasional demons » Tue Sep 15, 2020 2:43 pm

Yeah, insurance is a racket.

The policy should be primarily on the driver, not each car. I can see different add ons for each car as comp and collision would be different there. But you can only drive one at a time. Liability should follow the driver, not be on each car.

Of course people with 5 driving age children may not see it that way, but hey, if you want to play, you got to pay...

They're going to get hosed anyways. Move to the city, and make them take the bus! :lol:
Bill
Olha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCM
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester

04rebel
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Joined: Thu May 09, 2019 6:38 am
Location: ZIP 14777 , Western NY

Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Sat Oct 17, 2020 7:54 am

Luna will be "visiting" for the weekend, NO complaints of any "issues" but will be giving the little car a good looking over while it's here later today. AFTER I get back home from working on my dad's malfunctioning 05 Buick LaCrosse!

04rebel
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Mon Oct 19, 2020 2:07 pm

Well, I gave Luna a clean "bill of health" Sunday afternoon after a good look over and start up check. Only has needed 1/2 quart "top up" oil since having on the road(4 months now), and that was 2 months ago!...Yes she does drive Luna..LOL
Gave the son's GF a big "thumbs up" to how well she's taking care of her ride.

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MyNeonSaysHi
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by MyNeonSaysHi » Tue Oct 20, 2020 5:04 pm

Awesome! Sounds like its running very good!

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04rebel
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Re: Can't get away from Neon's

Post by 04rebel » Wed Oct 21, 2020 12:36 pm

MyNeonSaysHi wrote:
Tue Oct 20, 2020 5:04 pm
Awesome! Sounds like its running very good!
Yes it is running VERY WELL(pat myself on back for work I did on it)! Fluids,tire pressures checked weekly by her and kept CLEAN inside and out!
My son is doing much better care of the Journey than he ever did with his past Neon. But does NOT drive it near as often as he would with the Neon....Say it goes thru more GAS....DUH ...it's a V6 with AWD ! :roll: At least we can still get gas for $2.05/gal around us and highest price at $2.35/gal...reg. unleaded.

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