Help! Im Only Getting 150 Miles to a Full Tank of Gas

Originally Posted by ac_2007

What if my temp gauge rises slightly on the highway?

have you tried checking the actual temp within your cluster?

Originally Posted by bAby norAA

have you tried checking the actual temp within your cluster?

This is for a different car (2002 Neon R/T), in which I find the temperature varies too much.

AC...therms get stuck closed...and that would account for your being slightly above normal (assuming Neon's is buffered gauge like ours).

Could be...a temp sensor that regulates therm...really old messed up angry coolant that's left crap clogging up radiator...probably not a WP, but why not do it. I'm mixed...cooling overhaul is always a good idea, but on a Neon...hmmm? If this is happening in slow traffic mostly then I'd lean to therm. If this is happening only at idle...then maybe fan, maybe therm. You know I'd be guessing...but look over belts, pulleys, etc...just the same as if it was a bmw!

Originally Posted by dmax

AC...therms get stuck closed...and that would account for your being slightly above normal (assuming Neon's is buffered gauge like ours).

Could be...a temp sensor that regulates therm...really old messed up angry coolant that's left crap clogging up radiator...probably not a WP, but why not do it. I'm mixed...cooling overhaul is always a good idea, but on a Neon...hmmm? If this is happening in slow traffic mostly then I'd lean to therm. If this is happening only at idle...then maybe fan, maybe therm. You know I'd be guessing...but look over belts, pulleys, etc...just the same as if it was a bmw!

It has a mismatched radiator as far as I know, from the SRT-4 which has a 2.4L instead of a 2.0L. I'm thinking that could be related.
The temp goes dead center on the highway or when I turn my AC on, otherwise it stays biased towards the typical Chrysler 11 o'clock location.
I really doubt this sensor is buffered though.

Changing the WP is a pain on this car, but that has already been done according to the PO.
Another idea I have is that the thermostat is cheap or designed to open/close at different temperatures than OE spec.

I spent less on this car than I did my BMW's wheels, should just be happy it runs, right?

You could asking the question on a Dodge Neon website, rather than getting BMW advice. That may help things quite a bit.

I have. The Dodge forums are pretty much dead. Plus it helps to have the infinite wisdom of dmax.

Sent from my LG-P999 using Bimmer App

Gotta side with you on that one. Go to a lot of other boards and the latest posts are dated months ago!

Originally Posted by ac_2007

I have. The Dodge forums are pretty much dead. Plus it helps to have the infinite wisdom of dmax.

Sent from my LG-P999 using Bimmer App

My wisdom is quite finite, I assure you!

But, I know that basically cooling systems are about the same. Ours is unique with ET instead of overflow tank, but other than that it's about the same. I don't know the odds of Neon parts braking relative to ours...so if you wanted to play the odds...search neon forums. Otherwise, just inspect it as best you can and good luck!

This thread is all over the place.

If mpgs were ok before it went to the shop and have changed drastically since returning from the shop, it probably has something to do with the shop. Check wiring around your coolant temp sensor for physical damage.

I've seen lots of thermostats fail open, but they're not usually this dramatic. It happens over a few weeks.

Originally Posted by ac_2007

I have. The Dodge forums are pretty much dead. Plus it helps to have the infinite wisdom of dmax.

Sent from my LG-P999 using Bimmer App

Well, I can't say I am shocked that the Dodge Neon Forums being dead.
But, it would have been helpful to know that this was a non-BMW issue to start with.
Since a PO was obviously doing some cooling mods, with the different radiator, you are in a bad spot, since Neon owners are not necessarily the smartest bunch.
I speak from experience. My niece married a kid who drives an SRT Neon, and he is a certifiable idiot. He was replacing an engine he managed to blow, and was having problems with the rebuilt unit he had dropped in, and by crowd sourcing the help of several other Neon idiots, he had managed to get it installed and hooked up. But, it would turn over, but not stay running, and was making horrible noises. This did not prevent him from continuing to try to crank it though.
Even though I had sworn not to get involved, my niece called me and asked me to come over to offer advice. I listened to him crank it over once, even though he said he had already tried hundreds of times. Sure enough, it was making an awful noise. As he was babbling away about all of the things they had checked, like fuel pressure, spark, etc, I walked over and pulled out a bone dry dipstick. They had never added oil. He started complaining about the rebuilder ripping him off, as I walked away.
He had the nerve to try to get his money back from the rebuilder, since all of the dry starts had spun some of the crank bearings. That did not go well.
So, maybe it is best that the Neon forums are dead.....

Originally Posted by MJLavelle

Well, I can't say I am shocked that the Dodge Neon Forums being dead.
But, it would have been helpful to know that this was a non-BMW issue to start with.
Since a PO was obviously doing some cooling mods, with the different radiator, you are in a bad spot, since Neon owners are not necessarily the smartest bunch.
I speak from experience. My niece married a kid who drives an SRT Neon, and he is a certifiable idiot. He was replacing an engine he managed to blow, and was having problems with the rebuilt unit he had dropped in, and by crowd sourcing the help of several other Neon idiots, he had managed to get it installed and hooked up. But, it would turn over, but not stay running, and was making horrible noises. This did not prevent him from continuing to try to crank it though.
Even though I had sworn not to get involved, my niece called me and asked me to come over to offer advice. I listened to him crank it over once, even though he said he had already tried hundreds of times. Sure enough, it was making an awful noise. As he was babbling away about all of the things they had checked, like fuel pressure, spark, etc, I walked over and pulled out a bone dry dipstick. They had never added oil. He started complaining about the rebuilder ripping him off, as I walked away.
He had the nerve to try to get his money back from the rebuilder, since all of the dry starts had spun some of the crank bearings. That did not go well.
So, maybe it is best that the Neon forums are dead.....

I feel sorry for that engine, and lots of those cars in generel seeing as how they're constantly abused.
Hope that kid didn't get his money from the rebuilder and learnt a lesson.


But back on topic, and possibly more relalvant to this thread, I think I may have found the issue: My gas gauge.

It seems the car lasts 200km on the first half tank, and.. well I don't know, but a lot further with the last half. I was just too reluctant to find out how far it would get me. So if you feel you're having this problem with the E46, use your OBC menus to see exactly how many liters of gas remain, and in which portion of the tank. Your level sensors may be kaput.