Metro Newbie with a 1.3L

HOLA! I recently bought a 1992 Geo Metro sedan 4dr std with a 1.3L motor. The interior is good , the tires are new along with the mufler. It only has 1 minor body blemish. I bought it cheap because the head gasket is gone. After the motor heats up there's bubbles in the radiator overflow tank. It still runs well ; at least when I drove it home. The temp gauge never went above 1/2.

My question is ...is the 1.3L head gasket the same for all 1.3L motor with the SOHC? I priced a new head gasket but the shop wanted $98 !!! Ouch. This is probably because I'm in Canada. I assume I'd need a new head gasket,new intake/exhaust gasket, may as well get a new valve cover gasket. All that and take the head into a shop to have it checked and probably surfaced. Plus I might as well put in a new timing belt & tensioner.At least the water pump was recently replaced. I guess there's always ebay :rofl:

So there ya have it. Thanks for any assistance.

If I remember well yes the gasket is the same, you might be better of to buy a complete set of gaskets as you might need as you mentioned quite a few of them.

I did go ahead and buy a complete gasket set for a suzuki 1.3L .It was a good price. I'll have to check the condition of the belt and tensioner once I get it apart. The waterpump is less than 1 year old. I just hope the head isn't too damaged. The last head gasket that went on me was in my subaru.Damn thing has 2 heads...twice the price...grrrrrr..and the head in it was damaged.

Thanks for your reply


If I remember well yes the gasket is the same, you might be better of to buy a complete set of gaskets as you might need as you mentioned quite a few of them. f

A remanufactured head can be found for $200 US at the actual parity of 1:1 with the canadian dollar you should pay close to the same price .
Remember something do, you can get away with placing a new head on a used long block but you can't use a rebuild engine or new engine with a used head you will start to smoke in no time.

I would not put on a remanufactured head without doing the rings too. The new head will drive up cylinder pressure and increase blow by past the rings creating copious smoke clouds.
Your better off having the head machined flat and then just fixing the head gasket. It's a pretty easy job on a 1.3L.

Well, I started to take the metro's head off today. I managed to get the timing belt off and a few other things. The crank pulley had no clearance .I had to remove a motor mount and move it around with a jack and finally got it out. The belt looks decent with very little if any contamination or wear. Is there a way to tell if it's still good? However, the tensioner pulley feels worn so I'll just replace both.

I'm trying for the head tomorrow if the weather cooperates.:grinyes:

The best thing to do with belts is to replace them if you're unsure of how long they have been on your car. It is a good idea to replace the tensioner pulley everytime that you replace the timing belt. Those are usually the first thing to go out if you don't replace it. Also a good thing to replace would be the water pump before you put the timing belt and pulleys all back in place if you haven't already done so.

I think you're dead on with that ! I went ahead and ordered a new belt & tensioner. The water pump is barely 1 year old. The PO put a new one in and I have the bill! That's probably why the head gasket hurled when the pump failed and it overheated.I plan taking the head into a shop to have it checked for warpage! I may have the shop replace the valve stem seals since those came with the gasket set I bought.Wish me luck !:grinyes:

The head is off and I can see the gasket damage at cyl #4. It's small leak with no apparent head/block damage.


The best thing to do with belts is to replace them if you're unsure of how long they have been on your car. It is a good idea to replace the tensioner pulley everytime that you replace the timing belt. Those are usually the first thing to go out if you don't replace it. Also a good thing to replace would be the water pump before you put the timing belt and pulleys all back in place if you haven't already done so.

Update: I finally have all my parts. I plan on dropping the head off at the shop tomorrow. Only a basic re/re with valve stem gaskets/seals and shave the surface. I started to clean off the block surface. How clean should it be? Is there a special product or procedure that will work well? I think it's quite clean but there seems to be some stains into the metal. I doubt those will come out.

I did a bit more cleaning on the block and took a pic. Maybe someone could comment on how clean it is. I think it's ready to go ! The head is in the shop and should be ready on Friday; in time for the weekend...woot!

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/497/blockvt2.th.jpg (http://img510.imageshack.us/my.php?image=blockvt2.jpg)

Well gang, It's all done. A successful head gasket renewal. The valves were all adjusted and it started up fine with no apparent leaks. Today I put it all back together and adjusted the timing to 6 degrees. I did manage to break 1 bolt. The bolt was one that holds on the crank pulley. I'm sure 3 are adequate since the pulley only drives the alternator and water pump. I filled the rad up with water and burped it. Everything worked fine and it's all back together. I just need to put proper antifreeze in it and do an oil change!:naughty:

I think I need to find a 1.0L with a bad head gasket and try that or maybe a lil turbo jobee :lol2: