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Ok so I don't know if its posted anywhere else on this site, but how long can you typically go on an OEM engine before having to rebuild it? My car is getting higher mileage so I am just researching around to give me an idea on when to expect some failure.

Im at 166k, pretty much 100% factory, including timing belt, and water pump. If you follow suggest maintenance, you can keep your car going for a good amount of time.

There are people that go 200k miles and more without a rebuild. Rebuilding an engine isn't normal maintenance.

Keep the oil changed, install a working catch can, and use Mopar Combustion Chamber Cleaner at least every 30 to 40 thousand miles, and it should last. I had to install exhaust guides at 112,000, but that was mainly due to the massive amounts of carbon that had built up on the valves. (extra weight, not hitting the seats squarely) That is what the catch can, and MCCC is for.

I have close to 160,000 on the bottom end now.

I have over 284,000km on a stock long block and drivetrain. Still runs strong.

Mat00ES wrote:Im at 166k, pretty much 100% factory, including timing belt, and water pump. If you follow suggest maintenance, you can keep your car going for a good amount of time.

Damn. I would be scared the drive her on long trips with the original timing belt still in there.

Yep, (Mat00ES) you prolly just jinxed yourself....

It's a wonder the water pump hasn't failed either.

Thanks yall. Well back in March I had to replace a bad exhaust valve in cylinder 4 at about 64-65k miles (Due to previous owner, I don't know how this happened) so while I had the head and everything off, I had it machined, replaced the valve guides (intake and exhaust, all 16) water pump, timing belt, thermostat, and new gaskets to the whole thing including intake and exhaust manifold gaskets. I have also replaced spark plugs and wires, and ignition coil as well. I'm not too perfect on keeping up with the oil changed but I don't go too long either before changing it. So in other words I usually go about 6-7k before doing so. Where can I get a good catch can. I've heard you can get and install pretty cheap and easy. True?

mopar04 wrote:Thanks yall. Well back in March I had to replace a bad exhaust valve in cylinder 4 at about 64-65k miles (Due to previous owner, I don't know how this happened)

Depends on how the valve failed, or if something hit it.

mopar04 wrote:Where can I get a good catch can. I've heard you can get and install pretty cheap and easy. True?

Ebay, make your own, etc. There are a few threads on the topic.
here is one...

viewtopic.php?t=41464

Cool thanks for the post

You were at 67k back in march, which means you can't be very high now. You'll be fine.

T-Belt isn't "supposed" to be done until 100k.

If the timing belt/etc was done at 65K, then it should be good to 170K. 105,000 is the recommended mileage interval.

I know it wasn't recommended at that stage but while I had everything apart I figured I might as well. Besides it wasn't that difficult.
Ha. To me anything past 75k miles is higher mileage. I'm at just about 80k, but its reassuring that most people get that much mileage out of it.

Yep, it's another case of the engine outlasting the car in most situations....

occasional demons wrote:If the timing belt/etc was done at 65K, then it should be good to 170K. 105,000 is the recommended mileage interval.

I thought it was 108,000. That's what I'm hoping on, anyway. I'm at 101 right now and I've no money to go buy the stuff for probably another couple weeks.

I've never owned a car long enough to warrant a rebuild due to mileage.

My rebuilds are usually the result of something breaking at the track.

Swordfish2Cowboy wrote: I thought it was 108,000. That's what I'm hoping on, anyway. I'm at 101 right now and I've no money to go buy the stuff for probably another couple weeks.

105K. But I got away with 112K without issue. It is a recommended service interval, so I would think there is some margin of safety, but prolly not a guaranteed margin of safety. You know they have to cover their azzes...

My sister's made it to about 130k

im currently around 180k, lost track of actual mileage after replacing gauge cluster...lol

I'm at about 125,000 miles on mine.

Just had some work on the head done... replaced cam shaft, new head gasket, etc.

After that I drove it from Rouyn-Noranda, QC to San Antonio, TX without incident... and it is still running great here in San Antonio.

After driving driving 2,300 miles to get to Texas I don't find the Neon a great highway car... around town it is fine. I suppose I'm used to larger vehicles with more power and higher driving position.

And better seats.

occasional demons wrote:And better seats.

agreed i replaced mine at ~110,xxx and its been fine for 4 trips from tn to ca 2200 miles havnt really had much trouble cept the spark plug tubes..