Expert: Roland Finston - 7/28/2011

Question
Hello,

I hope you are still answering questions re Neons.

I have a 1996 Plymouth Neon 'Sport' -- which I bought used in 2002 w 42k miles. Now, in July 2011, it has 87k miles on it.

I have loved this car -- and it has provided excellent service taking me back and forth from New York City to Virginia Beach, Va. more than 40 times. (I only paid $3,700 for the car in 2002.)

Until this year, I have experienced only insignificant mechanical problems that I could easily cope with (such as adding Freon myself to the A/C every year).

Last week, however, the Neon 'lost power' and 'died' while I was cruising along at 35 mph. I was able to 'coast' into a church parking lot (less than a mile from my home). I called triple-A road service to tow me to my local mechanic (who was only 3 miles away).

I trust this mechanic -- but it took him almost a week to figure out what was wrong with the car. At first, they thought it needed a new 'computer', but while I was waiting for them to fix that, they changed their mind, and said that the computer was NOT the problem and that they needed to replace the timing belt and belt pulley -- and that it also needed a new 'crank sensor.' (They said that the problem was actually caused by the 'pulley' which 'failed' even though it was rated for 400,000 miles. When the pulley failed, it damaged the timing belt.)

So, they replaced the timing belt and pulley -- and the crank sensor. The total bill was $470:  $205 for parts and $240 for labor.

I still trust the auto shop -- but I'm wondering what might be the expected repair-and-maintenance cost for this car going forward (considering that it's 15 years old now).

The shop owner said that if I made the needed repairs, the car ought to give me many more miles of service without any additional major repairs.

But I'd like a second-opinion about that.

Hope to see your 'advice.'

Thanks,

-- Felicia

Answer
Hi Felicia,
The timing belt will often go a bit beyond 100k miles so you replaced yours a little earlier. The pulley is an unexpected side issue but that happens. The crank sensor is unpredictable but not unusual to fail in the years/miles so far driven.  
I assume that you either have a manual shift transmission or a simple 3-speed automatic, either of which should be reliable compared to the more costly to repair electronic 4-speed transaxle.
So I would agree with the shop that you are likely to not have major repairs so long as you don't run out of oil/overheat the engine, and drive it conservatively.
Don't let the recent repair 'throw' you. But I don't have a crystal ball.
Roland