Chevrolet/Geo Metro

goguy · December 2005

Filter ok pump working injector changed with pressure regulator. starved for fuel while cruising, o2 sensor tells me same thing but not why.crimped return line with vise grips still does it. Automatic runs like the devil in first and starts to loose it in 2nd and final drive 3rd it stalls after a few seconds. any ideas ?

spiffymetro · December 2005

Yo guys..and gals...so yeah i just bought a 1989 geo metro hatchback LSi and was wondering if anybody knew the largest size of rims/tires that i could put on my metro before having to install a whole new suspension system. Also, if anyone out there knew where i could get a stereo mounting kit for my car, id greatly appreciate it...WalMart has a kit for 1995 and up metros, does anyone know if that would fit??
THANKX MUCH

stan_top_down · December 2005

I don't know about max wheel/tire size - I'm using Michelin 175/70 R13's & they work fine with the stock suspension. I could no longer get the stock /65 R13 profile tires that originally came on my '92 Metro LSI convertible. I would think that 175 width & perhaps 14" or 15" rims with a smaller profile (eg, /45 or /55) would also work so long as the outer diameter of the tire is no greater than my 175 tires. I never have problems with tires rubbing on the frame, fenders, etc. There's more than enough clearance. When my Pirelli tires wore out, I wanted to stay with my 13" rims because mine were already cast aluminum ones. I had replaced the original equipment rims when I bent one of them in a chuck hole and didn't want to buy another set.

Per radio installation kits, try Crutchfield. I'm about to order a Sony CDX-GT200, and it comes with a free wiring harness, a free mounting kit specifically for my Geo, & free shipping (Crutchfield's web address: http://www.crutchfield.com).

To me, that's a better deal than the current "free" installation at Circuit City or Best Buy, locally, where I'd have to pay around $50 for an installation kit & wiring harness from them (per a phone call I made to them).

Whether Crutchfield's sells the mounting kits separately or not I don't know.

Good luck!

Stan

geno412 · December 2005

Finally got a service manual the Metro. I made a couple of test lights for the shift solenoids. Lo and behold, when it did not shift there was no power to solenoids. I replaced the a/t controller (small box on right side of steering column above drivers right knee) and it works ok now. Also used a hair drier to heat the defective controller and when it was warm it would work.
Merry Christmas.....geno412

badcarzz · December 2005

ok, i got a 97 geo metro from a nice little old lady who babied the car, this is my first winter with it and im having problems with the service engine soon light coming on.

the oil was just changed, the timing, airfilters and plugs were all done 6k ago, i cant see any reason why this light should be going on.

ive noticed that the engine runs poorly when i just start it, and it hasnt warmed up completly, the engine runs and then cuts out for half a second and then comes back. it does this repeatedly under no particular pattern until the car warms up and then stops doing it

can anyone tell me what my service engine soon light is hooked into so i can start narrowing things down as to what is wrong with this car?

stan_top_down · December 2005

I think you're best bet is to take the car to a reputable service shop & have them run an analysis. Many things can cause the check engine light to come on.

The one time this happened to me in my '92 Metro the speed sensor in the speedometer was faulty -- not something I'd normally think to check.

I'm guessing, though, that some sensor (oxygen, etc) may be bad - at least until the car warms up.

spiffymetro · December 2005

So yeah i just bought my '89 metro about a month ago, and it has hardly been run, only about 106,000 miles on it. I have gotten many emission tests done the last few weeks and it gets worse every time! I checked with the previous owner, and they showed me reciepts of the catylitic converter AND direct fit muffler were installed in 1994, with 94,000 miles on it. I have even givin it a full tune up (spark plugs, wires, distributer and cap, air filter, oil filter, oil change, radiator fluid) and even put in a bottle of that stuff thats SUPPOSED to lower emission levels, but it STILL fails worse!! I am running out of options and come sunday, will be unable to drive it for the rest of the year, since i need to pass to get tags, and my temp tags expire saturday, is there ANYTHING i can do to fix this?? (maybe a HUGE muffler...hahaha SWEET) :sick:

stan_top_down · December 2005

Sorry - no idea what to do. We don't have emissions testing in TX, so I don't have to worry about that.

Again, though, have you had a mechanic connect his diagnostic unit to the car's plug? I think in your earlier posting you said the check engine light had come on. The computer could have recorded what is wrong - and what needs to be replaced (very possibly a sensor of some kind). If you don't like your local Chevy dealers, try a competent independent garage (look for ASE certification). You could also take it to a Suzuki dealer, since, in those days, the Metro was really built by Suzuki.

Best wishes.

redffly · December 2005

did you ever figure out the down-shifting issue? My 1991 does the exact same.

timmo2 · December 2005

I have a manual transmission metro. It turns on, engine runs. I can rev the engine. I can put the car into gear. But, when I put it into gear, nothing happens, the car just runs. I can't hear any unusual noises coming from anywhere. What is going on? Is my transmission shot, did my drive shaft come undone? I appreciate any useful replies.

stan_top_down · December 2005

Umm, there really isn't a drive shaft per se in the Metro, since it is front wheel drive. The transmission is really a transaxle - the transmission & differential all in one case. The output goes from the transaxle through constant velocity joints to both of the front wheels.

Do check the constant velocity joints - jack up one front wheel, and, once it is off the ground, gently try to rotate it. See if the shaft which should be attached to it also rotates. Check both sides of the car. If the shafts on both sides rotate, then proceed to the next paragraph.

If you can feel the transmission actually go into gear when you move the shift lever, I would suspect that the clutch is shot.

In a sense you can sort of check the transaxle. First, shut off the engine. Then put the car in 1st gear, and push the car (by hand). Do NOT depress the clutch. If you can't push the car by hand with the clutch up, try it with the clutch down. If you still can't push the car, you probably have a transaxle problem.

If you can push the car with the clutch up, have someone shift from first to fifth (without using the clutch) while you push the car. Now, while pushing the car VERY SLOWLY, have the other person gently try to shift into reverse. If you get resistance, or hear gear chattering, your transaxle is probably fine, but the clutch is shot.

This could be the clutch facing, or the clutch spring. Whichever it is, replace both when you have it fixed, since much of the cost will be separating the engine & transaxle and then putting them back together. Replace both at the same time, as well as the throwout bearing.

I hope this helps. Be really careful while trying to shift into reverse while the car is rolling - you don't want to force anything, or you might damage the transaxle. All you want to do is see if the internal transaxle parts are rotating - if they are, the transaxle is probably OK.

Good luck, and let us know what you find out.

Stan

triumph1 · December 2005

Hi to all,

My name is Sylvain (pseudo triumph1) and a newbie HERE.
I own a 1988 firefly 2dr not turbo in very nice shape.

BUT carb. ajustments are off and soon i ll get it tuned-up.

If you have any infos for me or chat, please reply!!!

thanks.

stan_top_down · December 2005

Sorry - can't help. My '92 Metro is fuel injected. I hope the tuneup goes well.

Best,

Stan

stan_top_down · December 2005

Did you ever get your stereo mounting kit? I ordered & got my Sony stereo last week from Crutchfield, and it came with both a wiring harness & a mounting kit, so they definitely have the kits available, at least for '92 - '97 metros (per the package). You might call them to check on a kit for your '89.

Best,

Stan

timmo2 · January 2006

Stan,

I appreciate your response, thank you.
Here is where I am at now.

I had the car towed to a place to have it checked out and fixed, this is what happened. There are two parts to this story so please bear with me.

Part one - First of all, I have not gone to this place for ten years because I had a problem in the past with them. I was told that I needed a new clutch in my truck but when I got a second opinion, it was only something that ended up costing me like 80 bucks and my truck lasted fine for another two years. This time when I go back to this place, I talk to the new manager and explain to him the story of what happened ten years ago. He is very nice and apologizes for what happened in the past and assures me that that would never happen now. Calls me the next day, says I need a new clutch for over $700 parts and labor. Says they went over everything with a fine tooth comb, everything else looks good. Tells me for my problems in the past and good customer service he will pull some strings and he knocked a little over $100 off the price. I say great, git er done.

Part 2- Today I get a call(3 days later)and they tell me that the passenger side axle snapped. Told me that the (axle boot)has been broke for a while and today everything just blew inside. I asked how they knew it was broke for a while. He said there was grease all over the boot and everything and that is a sign of it. The cost to fix this is just around $100(the same cost I was discounted) on top of the price to fix the clutch.

So here are my questions:
1) Do you think it was the axle to begin with and not the clutch?

2)If it is the clutch, did they break my axle or just making this up to compensate for the big discount they gave me?

Since I had no warning with my clutch (driving it) and it just "went out" all at once, and from what you said in your last post, I kinda feel like I am getting punked here a bit and it was my axel to begin with.

Thanks for your help,

Tim

rdubs · January 2006

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know by chance if the XFI models have a certain letter or sequence in the VIN that indicates it is XFI model?

Thanks!

stan_top_down · January 2006

I mis-understood your original post - if you were driving the car, and then it just quit, that's unlikely to be the clutch (unless it's the pressure plate, which happened to me in an '82 Citation). The clutch facing itself almost always gives a warning by slipping - not just quitting cold turkey.

I thought the car, when you bought it, wouldn't run (other than the engine).

Ask to see the CV boot (which is made from rubber) - if it's been bad for a while (which is possible), it should not be very pliable, and when you bend it, it should show small cracks, indicating that it's beginning to break rather than bend.

That still shouldn't break the axle, though. If the boot fails, dirt gets in the CV (constant velocity) joint, and eventually the joint itself will self-destruct (a CV joint is similar in function to the universal joints on a rear wheel drive car). I can see the CV joint failing if the boot had broken, but I can't see the axle breaking. What are the odds that a 1/2 inch diameter shaft of steel is going to break - under the torque a 1000cc Metro engine can apply? Not in this lifetime!

Ask to see the broken parts - I can't imagine an axle breaking. On the other hand, each of the axles (a left one & a right one) IS connected through 2 (usually) CV joints, and they could break if the car was run long enough with a broken boot that let dirt into the joint. If they show you a broken joint (rather than a broken axle), then it does make sense.

Usually, though, as a CV joint begins to self-destruct, there's some slop in it - say, for example, the wheel will turn a few degrees while the axle remains stationary (or vice versa). The worse the CV joint gets, the farther the wheel will turn without moving the axle, until the joint fails completely. This usually isn't apparent to the driver, though, until the joint does completely fail. That's why it's always a good idea to get under the car at each oil change and visually inspect the boots with the mechanic (or have your oil changes done by a mechanic who you trust to check the boots for you each time).

Best wishes,

Stan

triumph1 · January 2006

hi there,

i own a 1988 firefly. carb./metal blue. aut.
i m about to have a tune-up done.

i have had so many carb. problems.
can you help ? web sites ?

tx.

escapingoth · January 2006

Still have the problem. I just noticed someone posted me on using the GM spec oil. I will have to try that but so far it doesn't seem to be affecting it with downshifting into 2nd.

escapingoth · January 2006

Years ago I had a 88. I found that there is a heater hose running through the carb. It was plugged. I made a plug to fit over the end of the nipple on the carb and with the other side detached turned the garden hose on and it cleared the obstruction. Sorry to be vague but this took care of the problem I had with the carb.

isoauto · January 2006

I am new to metros and have been doing a bit of research after just aquireing a 94 metro. I do remember that I came across an item about how the axles would break in certain years, attributed to bad welds and rust I think.

There are a two sites I read a lot but not sure exactly where I saw the info. Of course I found it but googling geo metro.

two sites i do remember are:link title

link title

sorry for not recalling exactly, will post if I do find it.

chris

wheel50 · January 2006

Does anybody know where I can find 13 inch wheel covers for my 89 turbo sprint? They are white with the red chevy emblem in the middle. Alos looking for the lower fog lights.

Thanks

prickbass · January 2006

hi

i had this problem with my 92 geo metro xfi what i did was make a new system except i used the stock headders b/c i did not feel like making new ones i used a cat off of a nissan 240sx i like to think of it as a high flow cat hahaha (made for a 4 banger) after that i still did not pass so i went to auto parts place and got some 3M exoust putty stop leak and passed with flying colors this is the put it on all of the joints and let thne car ru for 20 min then let it set over night and have it done in the moring but get the moter hot.

geojohn · January 2006

Hello,I Have Just Signed Up And This Is My First Post.I Have Been An Auto Mechanic All My Life,And Love Wheels.
6 Months Ago I Bought My First GEO Metro.Black 1993 2dr With 130000 Miles On The Clock.I Drive This Car 1000 Miles A Week,From Denver To Kansas.IM IN LOVE!!What A Comfortable Car To Drive.
I Now Own 7 Geo Metros.Two Are Convertiable.I Am Starting A Complete Restoration On My Red 91 Rag Top.HOW COOL!!!
I Would Like To Here From Other Metro Owners Here.
I Feel Like A Kid With My First Train Set!!
GEOJOHN

stan_top_down · January 2006

Hi GeoJohn

I have a '92 stick LSI that I've had since January '93. I bought it "used", but it only had 25 miles on it - someone had won it in a contest, didn't want it, & immediately traded it on a pickup. The salesman knew I was interested, and gave a superb discount.

It's been a very good car - it now has around 80K miles. Garage housed the entire time. I'm having the top replaced now for the 1st time, since the rear window cracked - not bad, in Amarillo, TX, for a plastic rear window to last 13 years.

Most of the rest has been maintenance work - timing belt, that sort of thing.

It never had AC until I dropped in an after-market one spring 2004 - I wanted to be able to travel long distances in the summer. The AC is good, but, if you get the one I did, be sure to re-crimp all the hoses. A couple have leaked, and re-crimping all of them solved that problem.

No experience yet with the new top - if you're interested, I'll let you know once the mechanic is done and I've had a chance to drive it some.

Oh - I dropped in a Sony CDX-GT200 CD - MP3 player - it has enough volume even with the top down. Check out my review if you want at Crutchfield (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-UjwWxwiXx1N/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&id=essentia- l_info&i=158GT200).

That's it for now.

Best,

Stan

cardudette · January 2006

Hello all. I have a 1996 Geo Metro LSi w/ the 1.0 3cyl and 5spd trans with 123k miles. What are the "ideal" compression numbers for my car? I get 126/128/125 psi readings right now. I know that's it's good that they are all even, but what were they new? I have a Chilton's manual and it doesn't mention numbers. Someone told me that a Haynes manual said it should be 199 +/- 10%. Could this be right? I thought that 120 was usually good.

Also, I need to do a valve adjustment very bad. Where can I get some detailed instructions online (maybe a scan of the GM service book)? Once again, my USELESS Chilton's manual says that because it has hydraulic valve lash, no adjustment is necessary. I know that I need to adjust them because there is a horrible ping/tapping noise coming from the passanger side valve area. The car uses 1 quart of oil every 2500-3000 miles. Thanks in advance.

whitetop · January 2006

I've had a '93 convertible for the past five years. It has 115k miles on it and still runs like a top. The only real trouble I've had was getting rid of a rough idle problem. The car had been mistreated before I had it and it took a long time and lots of fuel injector cleaner to get rid of it. I have found if I set the idle speed a bit higher than recommended I don't have so much trouble. I do my own tune-ups, which are not difficult on this car. I have had to have a new clutch installed, but not much else. I've had a lot of trouble with the A/C, but part of that I blame on a poor mechanic and buying a rebuilt compressor. I drive it to work five days a week, but I don't put many miles on it - only around 12,000 in five years. I get great mileage. I've had the car repainted, and I had a white top put on around a year-and-a-half ago. It has considerably lowered the interior temperature when it's sunny. I'm crazy about the car and can see why you are, too. They are a lot of fun to drive.

rdubs · February 2006

Hi everyone,

I am in the market to buy a Metro. I'd really like to get a 95 or newer due to the nicer body style, but it seems most of them are 4 cylinder and a lot are automatics. Two questions:
1) Is it possible to take a 4 cylinder engine in a 95 or later and trade it out with a 3 cylinder? I'd really like to get the 3 cylinder fuel economy.
2) Can you replace an automatic transmission with a manual one? Any changes to the drive train pre or post-transmission which would need to be done, or changes to the interior (where the shifter would go)?

Thanks for your help.

elvis56 · February 2006

Hi,
Looking to buy a 1991 firefly convertible from a fella that is getting rid of it. Its got the 1.0L auto and it has 125,000kms, a new paint job and new MVI. I guess there was some rust but the guy is a welder by trade and fixed it up nice before painting it. I hear by this site and others that these are good cars but I am wondering how they hold up on highway driving, as I do about 80% of my trip on highways at 100-120kms... What things should I look out for when checking it out and would something like this be worth $1000.? Thanks

hpmctorque · February 2006

My 2 cents says stay away. Why? Because the (3-speed) automatic version of this car is geared too low for the type of driving you described. If the car you were considering had a manual tranny, it could handle your 100-120kms needs. Just test this car out before buying, and I'll think you'll agree it wouldn't be something you'd enjoy living with day after day. The automatic is way too busy/buzzy at 100, let alone at 120.

driveageo · February 2006

I just changed the motor in my 96'Geo and it won't stay running when it is cold. I put a new part in it that was supposed to feed more gas to the motor when it was cold, but that didn't fix the problem. Any suggestions out there?

kacasp · February 2006

Try www.carparts.com

Let me know if you find any other resource for used Metro engines. I need one too.

havenhill · February 2006

My '93 Metro XFI with 80,000 and 5 speed trans is supposed to get 55 mpg average fuel economy according to the EPA. I know these ratings are overblown, but I'm only getting around 41-44 mpg even after a tune-up, synthetic oil change and replacing the EGR valve. Is this common? I bought this thing to get 50+ mpg - if this is all I can get, I'm going to sell it and buy a Civic for more get up and go. Any ideas?

Rick

stan_top_down · February 2006

I have a 92 Metro LSI convertible. With no wind, no AC, highway driving I get just over 40 mpg @ 70mph. In town, no AC, I get around 33 - 34 mpg. In town I always accelerate as fast as possible, consistent with safety & traffic conditions. I can get around 37 in town if I drive conservatively.

Have had the car since January 1993.

I still have the original window sticker: mine was rated 41 city 46 highway. The car was purchased w/o AC - I added it in April 2004 for the first time, so my estimates are based on no AC.

Per highway - I think EPA's estimate is based on 55 mph. At that speed, mine would definitely meet the spec.

Mine is also a 5 sp manual.

Enjoy yours
- Figure your annual number of miles.
- Divide by 55 & 44.
- Multiply each answer by cost per gallon in your area.

When you see how small the annual cash difference actually is, you'll be surprised. Quit worrying & enjoy the car!

Best,

Stan
TX Panhandle

stan_top_down · March 2006

Hi Rick -

I'm not interested in a 2nd Metro, but I just thought I'd let you know that I was born & raised in Libertyville!

I suspect the highway difference between our cars is that yours is a coupe & mine's a ragtop.

Small world.

Stan
TX Panhandle

toomany2count · March 2006

yea, yea, yea, i know who on Gods green earth would even want to mess w/these throw away cars. but here's the deal, my sister has 2-94 Geo Metro's, both have the same size mtr but one is a 5 speed(150,000+) & the other is an automatic (65,000) BUT wrecked. what she wants to do is put the motor & auto trans from the wrecked car & put it in the 5 spd car so her husband can drive it since he's got messed up left knee & this would make it easier on both of them.

what will be needed to do to complete this swap??
will the auto trans work in the 5spd cradle??
what about any wiring for the auto trans, should the engine/trans wiring harness be swapped from one car to the other or is the wiring for both the same & the auto trans wiring is in both harnesses.

soooooo can it be done w/o much problems?????

any help on this would be great....thanks...joe

wilezcoyote · March 2006

:sick:1-your clutch has come apart
2-shift linkage may have come off

3-trans imput shaft is broken

wilezcoyote · March 2006

i have worked for gm for about 20 years it ws very comon to adjust the base idle a bit higher than stock settings to smooth the throb out of the engine at idle

wilezcoyote · March 2006

I just picked up a 91 sprint 2dr 5spd. I want to put a larger tire rim combo on this thing. In 14" or 15" what is the best size for these cars with-out going too tall for :surprise: this tiny motor ex 205/55/14 it has the stock 12"tires
on it

spurs1 · March 2006

I have a 1996 Metro LSI with 1.3 liter and 5 speed. a few weeks ago I noticed that the lights would go off very briefly when i went from high to low beam or vise versa. This morning, I was going to work, with lights on high beam and they just went off, period. Turning the switch off gives me the running lights in the head lights and if I hold the stalk up, it gives a bright beam but will not work normally. Anyone have any ideas where to start looking?

Thanks

beckerhead · March 2006

Ok, so I don't own a Geo Metro, but a friend who has one (1989 manual) just drove into town from Wisconsin (I live in Florida), and said he was hearing clicking going around corners.. Well the rubber boot on his CV is wide opened on the passenger side, so we have to change it before he leaves. I know they are typically not difficult to change, but I have no experience with a Geo Metro. If someone could help me out a bit so we can get him on his way, that would be AWESOME. please email me beckerhead@gmail.(remove this part, spam control)com that would be extremely helpful. Thanks ahead of time guys.

jazzie_girl · March 2006

hi, i recently got a 92 geo metro convertable, im working on fixing it up, but there are no fuses in the fuse box, and the cover is gone, so i dont know what goes where, if anyone has a geo thats 3 cylinder, could you please either send me a picture of the cover, that tells what size fuses go where, or a picture of your fuse box, my email is flowers_screaming@hotmail.com, and please title it as something along the lines of 'fuze box'.
thanks soo much
-Jasmine

jazzie_girl · March 2006

hey, i recently got a geo convertable too, i love the car but i dont have any fuses in the fuse box, i was wondering if there was any way you could send me a picture of the fuse box or the cover for reference.
thanks so much
-jasmine

flowers_screaming@hotmail.com
please titile it along the lines of 'fuse box'

junko · March 2006

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER IT SEEMS TO LOSE THE COLD WHAT CAN I DO FOR THIS?

:sick: CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS I NEED HELP LIVING HERE IN THE DESERT AT 120+

vgriffin · March 2006

I am in the market for a vehicle for a teenage daughter. I spoke with a guy who has one for sale 1995 with 145k miles. He stated the Metro has the same motor as the Toyota Corolla. Anyone know if this is true?

stan_top_down · March 2006

I very much doubt it - so far as I know, the Corolla is a 4 cylinder engine; in 1992, the Metro had a 3 cylinder 1000cc engine. It may have changed by 1995, but, so far as I know, the Metro was always built by Suzuki (another Japanese firm).

Stan

stan_top_down · March 2006

Hi Jazzie Girl -

I sent scans of my '92 Geo Metro LSI convertible fuse pages to the e-mail address you indicated. I hope that you got them and that they were clear enough.

Good luck!

Stan

whitetop · March 2006

While I would recommend buying any Metro that had been treated well (even with a lot of miles)I agree that the claim may be far-fetched. In that year the Corolla and Geo Prizm were twins, not the Metro.I would call your local Chevy dealer and ask them to check out the claim.

bricknord · March 2006

Not the case. The guy has confused the Metro with the Prizm. People don't realize that all Geos were not made by the same manufacturer. I had someone try to tell me that my Tracker was really a Toyota RAV4 rebadged when I went to get a duplicate key. No, Suzuki I told her, she would not believe me. Corolla=Prizm, Metro=Swift, Tracker=Sidekick. FYI.

wilezcoyote · March 2006

it's not that big of a deal to do the swap,
drop the complete engine/trans ,ecm and harness out the bottom.The mounts are different they will need to be cut off and reattached, you will also need to swap the rad for the trans cooler or install a aftermarket trans cooler. The complete pedal assembly and shifter will also needed to be changed

Chevrolet/Geo Metro

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