I am NEW to this Forum, as well as the Import World. Please forgive my ignorance, but I'd like to ask a few questions.

I bought a '96 Eclipse RS sometime last year. In November '05, I had a mechanic fix a few things. The mechanic told me that the motor was not the original motor, that it had been replaced with a '98 Neon motor. How do I tell what motor is in my car?

I am one payment away from owning this car. I am seriously considering rebuilding a motor to replace my tired motor. This rebuild would be from the block on up. Does anyone have any suggestions on what motor I should use?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

I recomend using the same motor.

The motor that was in the car was the same as in the neon anyway. They are pretty much exactly the same and it will do you no harm.

There is nothing really you can replace it with apart from an exact replacement.

Can i ask why you think you need to rebuild the motor?

The motor in that car is more than likely a 420a. Post a pic and i will be able to tell you 100%

 

the neon does have the same exact motor as the eclipse RS so no problem there. And if by rebuild you mean build up to make stronger then just stick with the 420a. There is plenty of aftermarket for them.

 

Thanks for both responses.

The motor just started using oil. I add a quart every 2 weeks. When idling it smokes some. The oil pan looks as if someone used a silicon gasket instead of the OM gasket. And the heater doesn't work. (Just for starters.)

Here's the pics you asked for.

Any advise is greatly appreciated.



[IMG]local://upfiles/9964/317CBFF7D72D46DFA1467AFE980CA6F9.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/9964/6717D5384DB948008EF0A80AE641F31C.jpg[/IMG]

 

Mother ****ers!

Ah well... yezzir thats a 420a.

420as are known for their blown headgaskets.

 

If I wanted to fix the heat problem, (Heater does not work inside the car. If it's extremely cold outside, and the car idles, the heater works. When you start driving, the water temp on the guage goes to the cold, and the heat goes away. If you stop and idle again, it will heat back up.) I'm assuming it's the thermostat. Should I use the a '98 Neon Thermostat, or the '96 RS Thermostat?? I'm not going cold this year!!!

 

The RS thermostat

 

the neon motor is NOT the same as the 420a, with the primary difference being that the intake and exhaust manifolds are on the complete opposite sides.
the actual block is the same, but the head is not. Plus, most neons were equipped with the SOHC version of that engine.

external oil leaks from the head gasket (which has been redesigned to eliminate the condition) are the most common issue, but its not a death-nell. it is only an external leak, so its messy and an irratant, but wont cause any enging damage as long as you maintain the level of oil in your car. the oil leak is not huge, so it doesnt loose much.

 

I have always been told that they are the same 420a.

 

So the motor is NOT a Neon???