1990 Geo Metro - Consumer Discussions

Geo Metro Engine Questions

• Re: 1996 Geo Metro Oil Consumption [geomobile]

  Written by: zaken1 on Oct 5, 2011 2:31:46 PM

  The stock compression spec on the 3 cylinder Metro is 195 psi. The MINIMUM factory limit is 165 psi. When the highest 2 cylinders have 120 psi and the remaining cylinder has 60 psi and the engine consumes a quart of oil every 75 miles and shoots vapor out the plug opening when cranked; this is not caused by burned valves. That oil is either coming from a broken piston, stuck ... Read More

Chevrolet/Geo Metro

• Love my metros

  Written by: stayingblessed on Aug 18, 2011 8:40:59 AM

  Hi I am now on my 8 & 9th metro. I love them. we currently have 1990 4 dr automatic and 91 convertible standard. the metro was not built for speed, how ever I just recently put a HHO unit from www.highperformancefuelcells.com on my 90 4 dr that joker was accelerating up the hills. The mileage for an automatic when the car is runing wright is 45mpg the standard will get ... Read More

Geo Metro Engine Questions

• Re: 1992 geo metro rear wheel bearing breaks every 4 days [zenden]

  Written by: dags123 on Sep 2, 2010 9:37:37 PM

  i hope this is it... i questioned him on what replacement parts he used and it seems they were using 1990 geo metro and not geo metro 1992 xfi. as there were 2 different part numbers, so i hope this is it, and i'll update in a month if it works. it was close enough that it lasted about 1.5 months the third time,,( 3600 miles),, then the 4th time only ... Read More

• Re: 93 metro 1.0 no start [heavyhook]

  Written by: zaken1 on Jun 11, 2010 8:35:11 PM

  Doug, Thanks for the feedback. I'll try to clarify some of the points you brought up here. It sounds like we may be miscommunicating about the coil wires used to test for spark. Of course the primary (12 volt) feed must be connected between the coil and the electronics in the distributor (which take the place of the good old points and condenser) in order for dwell current to charge and ... Read More

Chevy/Geo Metro Real World MPG

• Re: 1990 Geo Metro only 25 mpg why? [vikasintl]

  Written by: zaken1 on Feb 1, 2010 8:50:56 PM

  The answer to the last point you asked about is that there is no such thing as an engine getting bad mileage because it is too old. ANY engine, regardless of its age, will get good mileage if the internal parts are not worn excessively, the compression is good, and the fuel and ignition systems are adjusted right. On the other hand; even a nearly new engine will get bad mileage ... Read More

• 1990 Geo Metro only 25 mpg why?

  Written by: vikasintl on Jan 13, 2010 2:35:47 PM

  I have 1990 geo metro where head is recently changed and recent full tune up but mileage is only 25 mpg. What could be the main reason why fuel economy is bad? One mechanic said timing belt other said timing needs adjustment...am confused. What are the main possible reasons? is it a easy fix or it is just because it is old?

Chevrolet/Geo Metro

• Re: 1990 Geo Metro will not start [zaken1]

  Written by: thejunglelove on Dec 24, 2009 7:57:20 PM

  I am sorry that I did not make myself clear before about the starting problem . The ignition will not even turn over. I turn the ignition switch to the acc and nothing. I have power coming of the wire but it goes into the ECM and that is were I lose it. I have no instrument panel lights and there is nothing when I turn the key. I will have ... Read More

• Re: 1990 Geo Metro will not start [thejunglelove]

  Written by: zaken1 on Dec 24, 2009 5:39:10 PM

  From what you wrote; it is not clear to me whether the starter runs or not. If the problem is that the starter doesn't crank the engine; the clutch switch (on manual transmission vehicles) or the neutral safety switch (on automatic transmission vehicles) is probably defective. The clutch switch can be temporarily bypassed by shorting the terminals in its plug together. But I have also seen the starter stop working when ... Read More

• 1990 Geo Metro will not start

  Written by: thejunglelove on Dec 24, 2009 1:30:01 PM

  I have a 90' Geo Metro that will not start, I have changed the battery and ignition switch. I have traced 12v to ignition switch, to the fuses in the engine compartment, starter, and the alternator. I have pulled the ECM and checked it for damage and corrosion and it is clean. I have traced the schematics and it all goes back to the ECM. I have no aux power to ... Read More

• Re: Want to buy a Geo Metro [johnnymnemonic]

  Written by: zaken1 on Dec 23, 2009 12:43:03 PM

  Last I heard, they frown on using this site for selling vehicles. But Metros are becoming rarer all the time. I bought my 1990 3 cylinder, 5 speed hatchback in 1992. And at that time, there were no Metros within 50 miles of San Jose. So I had to drive all the way to Hollister to get that car. And I've never regretted it. Just be sure to run a compression ... Read More

Geo Metro Engine Questions

• We have to replace head in 1990 Geo metro and we need advice

  Written by: vikasintl on Nov 23, 2009 7:24:48 AM

  We have to replace cylinder head in 1990 Geo Metro because it had a crack and we bought a used cylinder head from another 1994 Geo metro in which there are 2 valves which are burnt. Here are my questions. 1.Can we use the good valves from our old cracked head ?or we should buy all new valves? 2.Replace only those 2 burned valves? or replace them all? 3.What is the ... Read More

• Re: 1990 Geo Metro Convertable Engine Will Not Start. [cj7jeeper]

  Written by: zaken1 on Nov 14, 2009 12:36:06 AM

  Before you start testing for spark anywhere; it is essential to understand that you cannot jumper across the ignition switch on a Metro to make the engine run. There is an anti theft circuit built into this electrical system which shuts down the spark if you jumper across the ignition switch (even when the key is turned on). So you must have all the wiring connected in the stock routing. A> ... Read More

• 1990 Geo Metro Convertable Engine Will Not Start.

  Written by: cj7jeeper on Nov 9, 2009 5:49:30 PM

  My son limped home my Geo and it has not started since. It cranks, all cylinders have good pressure, Have fuel no spark. Tested Coil and it reads good. I do not have a crank P/U. The distributor pick-up coil test good, The distributor ignitor may be the problem...I am unable to check at this time and can't find info on how to test. Is there anything else that I could ... Read More

Chevrolet/Geo Metro

• Re: Idle Surges Under Electrical Load [shaggyman1]

  Written by: zaken1 on Jul 23, 2009 5:48:01 PM

  Incidentally, I'm not familiar with the G10 model number you often mention. My engine is referred to as a VIN code 6; and that designation is used on all the 3 cylinder Metros (both Geo and Chevy). The TPS on my 1990 5 speed is marked 179950-6281. It also is marked 1.5--6.0 degrees. And I expect it will work with your ISC motor. They also used a different MAP sensor in ... Read More

Geo Metro Engine Questions

• Re: timing gear [jrill]

  Written by: zaken1 on Jul 23, 2009 2:40:16 PM

  Both the crankshaft timing belt sprocket and the camshaft timing belt sprocket (which are located underneath the timing cover) on the 1990 Metro 1.0 3 cyl engine are attached with just one bolt. But the crankshaft pulley for the fan, water pump, and alternator belt is attached with 4 bolts. So it sounds like you are referring to that pulley; rather than the timing sprocket. The number of bolts used on ... Read More

Geo Metro Exterior and Body Work

• Re: Clear Coat on 1990 Geo Metro? [metro158]

  Written by: threeclarks on Jan 4, 2008 11:50:09 AM

  My '89 Geo Metro LSi has some sort of clear coat and it still looks absolutely fabulous! My '94 Intrepid has the paint peeling off the roof and my '91 F150 has the paint starting to peel from the hood. My '89 is still standing the test of time.

Chevrolet/Geo Metro

• Addendum to not starting

  Written by: 9thirty3 on Nov 11, 2007 9:17:13 PM

  I want to thank zaken1 for the very timely and informotive tips.I really enjoy this forum due to the fact I have two metros. A 1990 automatic 4dr/hchbk and a1993 2dr/hchbk. I drive 110 miles to and from work so these little jewels are worth their weight in gold to me. Unfortunately my 1990 broke down right across the freeway where 3 days earlier I was rearended by an s10 pickup.Fortunately ... Read More

• Re: Coil-resister or not? [zaken1]

  Written by: zaken1 on Sep 27, 2007 10:40:42 AM

  I also want to add that there are two common mistakes which lead to Geo Metro engines burning valves. One can happen if the ignition timing is adjusted without first disconnecting and plugging the vacuum lines to the two advance diaphragms. Not disconnecting those vacuum lines will result in the timing being set about 8 degrees retarded from the factory specification. And that's a guaranteed valve burner. The second mistake that ... Read More

Geo Metro Exterior and Body Work

• Clear Coat on 1990 Geo Metro?

  Written by: metro158 on Jun 20, 2007 3:04:43 PM

  Just got it.. love it.. but when I was out trying to make it all shiny I couldn't help but wonder if there is no clear coat there?? It's obviously been around for awhile without me in it's life and the decals are all in excellent (almost too good) condition so I have to wonder if somebody stripped it off before and applied new decals?? My question is basically this: were ... Read More

Chevrolet/Geo Metro

• firing order

  Written by: titanman21 on Jul 5, 2006 7:02:41 PM

  does anyone know the firing order of a 1990 geo metro??

• Re: Please Help new geo owner [sillyroller]

  Written by: surplusserver on Apr 27, 2006 10:18:44 AM

  I have owned a '89 Geo Metro LSI since 1990. It's been the most reliable car I have ever owned, and the easiest to maintain. About a year ago, I started having problems with the car stumbling on acceleration and certain throttle settings. This problem was annoying. But, the car remained drivable. Having a moderate amount of experience with cars, I looked to the same things which you have mentioned changing. ... Read More

• Re: 1998 Metro - Location of Fuel Filter? [stobar]

  Written by: sillyroller on Apr 24, 2006 9:30:08 PM

  i have a 1990 geo metro and the fuel filter on mine is underneith the car up above the frame next to the gas tank

• Please Help new geo owner

  Written by: sillyroller on Apr 23, 2006 1:39:17 AM

  i just bought a 1990 geo metro lsi That has a problem i runs great from the top of the gas peddle to the middle then it hits a dead spot and it bogs down like its out of fuel or somthing but then you press the gas a little past that point then it seems to run better andstarts gaing speed again i have done a complete tune up plugs,wires,cap ... Read More

• Re: Geo Metro O2 Sensor [p10leadman]

  Written by: sillyroller on May 8, 2006 9:56:16 PM

  i have a 1990 geo metro and needed a new o2 sensor and got a new bosh for $18.99 from schucks and ebay has them about the same price

• Transmission problems??

  Written by: s_owen_h on May 17, 2001 1:31:54 PM

  Hey everyone I have a 1990 Geo Metro 3 cylinder, Its been sitting for a while but about a yr ago, the car took a while to get moving, n I mean you could almost have the pedal to the floor and it would barely move. n after about 6 weeks of that it started to smoke by the transmission n wouldn't move, figured I would ask if anyone had any ... Read More

• Geo Metro Convertible

  Written by: geo2356 on Apr 20, 2001 8:14:50 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.

• The Facts on the Geo Metro

  Written by: merco1 on May 30, 2000 6:13:33 PM

  I own a 1990 Metro stick 5 speed 3 cylinder hatchback. The car had 48000 on it when I bought it 3 years ago and now has 90000. It still runs the same(sometimes rough).It's a death trap over 50 MPH if you have to make a sudden move on the fearway-freeway. It gets 45 miles to the gallon. It runs for ever on a tune up, 1.5 years. The tires cost ... Read More

Used Hatchbacks - Got any ideas?

• Hondas are good

  Written by: ryuyszh on Jan 8, 2000 9:40:47 AM

  First of all...the guy talking about the GTI forgot to mention that he was talking about km/hr and not mi/hr. 100 km/hr is about 62 mi/hr. 9 seconds is pretty quick but not super fast. I'm a junior in college. This year I bought a 1990 Acura Integra LS hatchback for $4200, with 119k miles (about avg). It gets 26 mi/ga city and 32/hwy. I avg about 28 mi/ga. I believe ... Read More