My 2000 Plymouth Neon recently broke down on the highway, and I’m trying to figure out what might be wrong. It started with the heat gauge running unusually high, even though I had just replaced the radiator, radiator hose, and thermostat a few months ago.
To try and get home, I turned the heat up high, and the temperature gauge dropped back to normal almost immediately. However, after a minute, strange noises started, so I turned off the heat and the radio to listen. The noise disappeared, so I cautiously turned the heat back on low. Suddenly, there was a loud thudding noise, all the gauges went haywire, and the engine died.
This breakdown comes shortly after the power steering AC belt tensioner failed just a week ago. I had also noticed some new squeaking from the serpentine belt in the past few days. Adding to my worries, I discovered oil in the coolant reservoir recently, and I’ve been losing a significant amount of oil. My mechanic mentioned an oil leak but couldn’t pinpoint the source.
I know my 2000 Plymouth Neon has other issues too, like a crankshaft sensor problem, a leaky transmission, and worn strut mounts. Realistically, I understand it’s not worth much, especially considering I bought it only this past February. Being on a tight budget, taking it to a mechanic right now is difficult, but I’m hoping someone can offer some insight into what might be causing these problems with my 2000 Plymouth Neon. Any advice on diagnosing these issues would be greatly appreciated.
