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Chevrolet/Geo Metro

1864 messages,  Last post on Aug 22, 2012 at 10:55 AM

You are in the Chevrolet Metro/Geo Metro Forum.

What is this discussion about? Geo Metro, Chevrolet Metro, Hatchback

Messages Page 46 of 187

#447 of 1864 Convertibles by dcb111

Apr 20, 2001 (1:39 am)

I've always owned cheap little compact cars. couple of years ago I was looking for some parts for my 1988 Chevy Sprint and found 2 other Chevy Sprints exactly like mine in a junk yard. Between the three cars I was able to piece together a very reliable nice-looking little car. I discovered how cheap the engines are to purchase from Japan. You can buy a used engine for the Sprint or metro with 30-50,000 miles for around $500. Then I came across a 1992 Geo metro convertible in my local newspaper and was able to buy if for$300. Of course the engine was blown but the body was in really good shape so I bought a re manufactured engine installed for $1500. I have about$2000 invested in the car and I love it. It runs and looks brand new. Yesterday I was approached buy another metro fan that offered me $3,800 for it. I should sell it and make a profit but I just can't part with it.
    I was wondering if anyone has any information on the convertibles. Like their history and when they were last made. I don't see many like mine.

#448 of 1864 Geo Radio Cd/Cassette by geo2356

Apr 20, 2001 (8:12 pm)

I was responding you one of the messages about the Geo Cd/cassette player, They are excellent sound systems I looked for one for my 97 Metro for over a year and then I found one on ebay for 189.00, at first I was thinking i was crazy for paying that much for an oem system but once I installed it I knew that I had made a great deal, they are 650.00 at the Chevrolet dealership.

#449 of 1864 Geo Metro Convertible by geo2356

Apr 20, 2001 (8:14 pm)

The Metro Convertible was made from 1990-1993. While the rest of the Metro line-up was being made in Canada the Convertibles were still being imported from japan, Ive heard that in a few years they will be worth a good bit of money thats why I plan to hold onto my 1992 convertible as long as possible.

#450 of 1864 Engine question by geo2356

Apr 20, 2001 (8:25 pm)

Ive just joined this message board tonight and I was wondering If maybe someone could help me out with a question? Has anyone else had any head/valve probelems with there Metro's? Ive got two 1990 Metros one four door and the other two doors but both of them lost compression due to valve problems according to my local mechanic, I thought you unusual considering that ive taken such care of the two door and it still died with 101,000 miles, then I bought the four door and after a month the exact same thing happened to it? I thought that maybe since I had both of mine to do this that it was a common problem with these cars? I also have a 1997 Metro LSI coupe which is a great car I would never part with it and I have a 1992 Metro Convertible LSI with 84,000 miles.....I noticed this 1992 Metro has alot of loud tapping, I pray it isnt the valve thing again because I just bought this for 1800.00 and I would hate to see that much money go up in smoke like that, its bad enough I bought the four door for 500.00 and it died right off the bat like that..anyway if anyone knows anything about this problem or a way to prevent it let me know thats.

#451 of 1864 Valves by inuvik

Apr 20, 2001 (10:20 pm)

Unfortunately since a lot of Metro's haven't been properly maintained they have a tendency to burn the valves in cylinder #3 due to people letting the oil levels get too low and under higher rpm's the valves will starve for oil. Also the seal under the intake will sometime develop air leaks. Usually the sign of air leakage is a excessively high idle speed. The result of the air leak is a over lean condition which causes the valve to overheat and burn eventually.
 
If you do get a burnt valve I would just replace the entire head. There are a few places that will exchange the entire head for only a couple of hundred bucks. I've done it and it's really a pretty easy job. Took me about a hour of actual time under the hood.
 
You usually don't have to worry about the bottom end on Metro's. You have to remember the 1.0 3cyl and the 1.3 4cyl are the same motor except for the number of cylinders. So the crank bearings on the 1.0 are really oversized for the amount of displacement the engine really has. Of course this is the reason why the engine can go 250K+. Hope this helps.

#452 of 1864 Links by inuvik

Apr 20, 2001 (10:37 pm)

Here are a couple of links:

http://www.cylinderheadsrebuilt.com/Prices.htm

http://www.rpmrons.com/cart/GeoGMHds.html#1.0-1
 
http://www.motorheadmachine.com/suzuki.html
 
http://www.fred-jones.com/heads/geo_heads.htm
 
http://www.aluminumheads.com/Suzuki.html

#453 of 1864 Re: #437:3 cylinder, Are they any good? by lorbeertlc

Apr 21, 2001 (10:33 am)

Hi,
I've bought a 1991 Geo Metro 3 cyl 5spd hatchback and it ran great up till around 68,000 miles.
After that I noticed a drop in performance. I thought it might have needed a tune up. Until it couldn't pass the smog test.
Turned out I had burned an exhaust valve. THAT was expensive! Other than that, they seem to run like a swiss watch. Very reliable.
I had the 1991 till it had around 121,000 miles. Never replaced the clutch and only the brake pads once! After hearing GM was going to discontinue selling the Metro, I decided to buy the last year model and trade in my '91.
I now own a 2000 Metro LSi w/auto trans, a/c, and EVERY available option that was offered! Even though it cries for a 4th speed overdrive, I can't complain. I love that car. The 4 cyl really adds more power. But you can't knock the great gas mileage of a 3 cyl manual.
-Tom

#454 of 1864 Valves by geo2356

Apr 21, 2001 (8:17 pm)

Yes that explains why the burn out, I wonder though is there anyway now for me to protect my 92 convertible since it has got 84,000 miles already? If I keep the oil up will that protect it from burning out that valve? Another thing they guy that mentioned the loss in power....now that he mentions that I do think my other 1990 Metro was faster than this convertible how would I check and see if the valve was already burned out..or how would i know what are the signs? Anyway thanks for the information.....anyone notice that the 1999 Metros are quite a bit faster than the 1997? My mother has a 1999 sedan and that car can out run my 97 Coupe anyday and they are both automatics and 4 cylinders..

#455 of 1864 Valves by lorbeertlc

Apr 21, 2001 (11:40 pm)

Do a compression check. Your cylinders shouldn't be more than 14.2 PSI apart from each other. If you're not sure, tell your mechanic you would like to do a compression check for a burnt valve. If that is ok, your loss of power might be a bad catalytic converter. When they get a lot of miles on them they tend to get plugged up (It happened to me). When it was replaced it was like a new car!

#456 of 1864 Check that converter! by inuvik

Apr 22, 2001 (2:13 pm)

I agree you should check the catalytic converter. If it gets plugged or starts to restrict, it will cause the exhaust valves to get too hot and it will burn the valves. I had a converter plug at about 150K and it caused my valves to burn. But you never know, so it never hurts to have it checked out. A shop or exhaust shop should be able to check your exhaust temps and O2 levels. If your temps are too high, then you might have a restricted converter or burnt valve.

Messages Page 46 of 187

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