Expert: Pete Lacey - 11/3/2004

Question
Hi there Pete,

My best friend isn't much on auto care and has run her Neon out of oil, it was two qts low, and there doesn't seem to be anything in the resevior for coolant.  It suddenly began running really rough with loss of power and hesitation today it also smellied like burnt rubber, not the sweet sticky smell of coolant.  I put the appropriate levels of fluid back in but the check engine light is still on.  Acts like a clogged fuel filter but I can't find one, air filter and oil filter look fine. Any other simple maintenance that you think would help get her back on the road?  SHe isn't in a a position to see a proffessional. Thanks :-)  

Answer
hello hun
If you have a auto zone they can and will do a free diagnostic test . the fuel filter is on fuel pump on the 2000 neons models . it could be a bad plug or spark plug or bad fuel pump . Let me know what you find hun and you have a very pretty name pete