'96 Geo Metro

[Chas]

My friend has a 1996 Geo Metro 5 speed, 1 liter that gets terrible gas
mileage and has no power or speed. It has standard wheels and tires
We live at 5300 feet asl altitude.
The compression is good on all 3 cylinders. His private mechanic has no
answer and says the timing is as far advanced as it will go now.
Is there some way to replace (or solder then re-drill smaller) the primary
jet(s)?
. . . Anyone who has experience with these little beasts sure could be of
great assistance to my friend. I had a 1993 Geo Metro and got 60 mpg twice
in it. At this altitude too.
***
Hoping for assistance...in advance. . . .thanks to 1 and all for your time.
. . chas

[Chas]

[Stormin Mormon]

I'd be thinking tune up, and the usual air filter and fuel filter. Needs
good cap, rotor, spark plug wires, etc.

I got a bad set of spark plug wires, years ago. For my Chevy S-10 pickup,
with the smaller V6 engine. 2.8 liter, I think. The wires were three year
warranty, so I threw out the wires I had taken out. Mistake. Turns out the
new wires were junk, and the vehicle ran terribly. I kept thinking it can't
be the wires, they are brand new. But, yes, it was.

May be the timing is off?

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"Chas" <footb...@bresnan.net> wrote in message
news:jm9fr.44610$QC3....@newsfe16.iad...

[Chas]

. . .. I don't know how one could adjust the timing as it little beast is
computerized. I'm considering that it could be the plugs as most of these
sub-compact owners have had much success with the tripple electrode plugs.
. . . .Next it could be the overhead cam is off a notch or two on the belt
as the cover has been off for some reason. I'll probably check that out
before laying cash down for plugs that may not be the solution.. . . .thanks
for your reply. 'Stormin. . . . .chas
. . . .strange,. . .. (alt.autos.chevie) has only two entries for this
year....and I'm one of them.
**********************************************************
"Stormin Mormon" Replied -> I'd be thinking tune up, and the usual air

[DogDiesel]

"Chas" <footb...@bresnan.net> wrote in message
news:jm9fr.44610$QC3....@newsfe16.iad...

> My friend has a 1996 Geo Metro 5 speed, 1 liter that gets terrible gas
> mileage and has no power or speed. It has standard wheels and tires
> We live at 5300 feet asl altitude.
> The compression is good on all 3 cylinders. His private mechanic has no
> answer and says the timing is as far advanced as it will go now.

You do not give enough info. And I'm not the one too really help.

How many miles. Did it always run poor , and he bought it that way, or did
it run great at one time.

Well, is the timing correct or not? As far as it will go does not mean its
correct.

That would be step one for me. Check and see if the timing belt is off a
tooth.

Is the cam wiped. I had a Chevy 350 wagon, with a wiped cam. And it ran
great with the timing advanced so far , It would barely start when it was
hot.

> Is there some way to replace (or solder then re-drill smaller) the primary
> jet(s)?

This is a very bad idea.

> . . . Anyone who has experience with these little beasts sure could be of
> great assistance to my friend. I had a 1993 Geo Metro and got 60 mpg
> twice in it. At this altitude too.

I had a 3 cylinder one, and it sucked . and you need to do the
basics. Timing, fuel, spark.

As in tuneup. With 3 cylinders you need them all.

[Steve W.]

Chas wrote:
> My friend has a 1996 Geo Metro 5 speed, 1 liter that gets terrible gas
> mileage and has no power or speed. It has standard wheels and tires

Not a bad little engine as far as that goes. They are usually good on
gas but not very good on power.

> We live at 5300 feet asl altitude.

Well that is one problem. I think you can get a high altitude kit for
them but it might not be easy to find other than in replacement parts.

Where did the car originally sell (lower altitude OR from a local dealer
at the same altitude)?

> The compression is good on all 3 cylinders. His private mechanic has no
> answer and says the timing is as far advanced as it will go now.

Find a better mechanic. The timing on that engine should be 6 degrees
BTDC. You don't adjust it after that. The computer does the rest based
on information from the crank position sensor.

The usual problems at high altitude on a stock engine NOT meant for high
altitude are - High fuel consumption and lowered power output.

Power output usually runs around 3-4% loss per 1000 feet above MSL just
due to the lowered air density So you should be seeing an engine that
makes 55-60 HP on it's best day putting out about 45 HP. Fuel mileage
should run about mid 30's for city driving. Low-Mid 40's highway.

> Is there some way to replace (or solder then re-drill smaller) the primary
> jet(s)?

It has fuel injection so no jet's and no adjustments.

> . . . Anyone who has experience with these little beasts sure could be of
> great assistance to my friend. I had a 1993 Geo Metro and got 60 mpg twice
> in it. At this altitude too.
> ***
> Hoping for assistance...in advance. . . .thanks to 1 and all for your time.
> . . chas
>
>

First I would take it to a shop and have them see what the O2 sensors
are showing a low output or failed sensor could cause this. So could a
failing EGR valve or vacuum leak in the system. Check the actual valve
timing , a worn belt or having the valves out of time by a tooth could
be causing this as well.

Next a GOOD tune up. New plugs, cap,rotor, wires. Run a can of top
cylinder cleaner through it along with injector cleaner. (Change the oil
after this to remove any cleaner that made it past the rings) Check the
EGR system for problems and check the exhaust for flow. A small blockage
or catalytic converter failing could also cause this.

If that all checks out and the ECM shows everything normal as to engine
temperature and sensor inputs there is an answer that would correct the
power output and give you better mileage. Put a turbocharger on it. The
Pontiac version (Firefly) sold in Canada had one but not on an EFI .

I'm betting that you find other problems first though. Oh and your 93
would have had the computer controlled carb with a different head design
as well..
--
Steve W.