Does everyones valve knock under load?

I'm not sure if its the valves, but whenever the engine is under load I hear a knocking/tapping sound. Other than that the car is doing great. The only issue I'm having is when I'm at a stop light and engine idol drops pretty low. The car starts to shake...not violently, but the steering wheel shakes none the less. If I give it a little gas, everything smooths out.

On a happier note my transmission is fixed. They said it was a silenoid in the tranny. $150 later (including tranny filter and fluid change) and I no longer have a manual automatic transmission. :D

You may want to check the cat. converter. I had one start to burn out and plug up.It caused to much exhaust back pressure. It's very very hard on the valves
good luck

This is from page 6-3 of my 1995 Geo Metro owner's manual:

"If you're using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. But don't worry if you hear a little pinging noise when you're acceleratring or driving up a hill. That's normal, and you don't have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of pinging. It's the heavy, constant knock that means you have a problem."

Sounds like you're vehicle may be operating as designed.

Mike

I have recently noticed mine doin the dieseling thing lately when going up the very steep hill to my house. I was thinking timing?? I haven't seen my timing light in years. Wonder if I should start looking.

At idle - mine also runs kinda rough but smooths out when patting the gas. I was thinking it is just the way 3 cyls idle - kinda out of balance?

I'd check the timing (on a '95 its 5 degrees BTDC), and if your car tolerates it, advance to 8 or 9 degrees BTDC.

It's been perfect for me, but I don't know your year vehicle or specs...

I speak only for experiences with my 95 Metro HB 1.0L...