1989 Geo Metro LSI: sputters/lose power at 55mph..... again

[Fern25]

Hey guys,

Well it's been about 4-5 months, and it looks like my problem is back. Here's a recap: Everything is fine when im in 1-3rd gear (even 4th is okay to a point), seems fairly peppy, can go up hills, etc. The problem arises when I am on the highway and I get up to around 55mph or so in 5th gear, at this point I have no acceleration and the car kind of sputters (probably not the right word) and loses power and forcing me to drop it in to 4th or even 3rd to keep going. Last time I replaced the fuel filter, spark plugs/wires and 02 sensor to fix the problem (or so I thought).

Already I have replaced the spark plugs, 02 sensor, and did the distributer cap and rotor for kicks. These slightly improved the performance but the issue is still there. Before I was told to look at the fuel pump, which I haven't checked since it's a little tougher to get at but I am unsure why the problem would go away for so long and come back. Another person told me that it could be the catalytic converter, but my Dad is real sure that it's not it because we replaced it within the last couple years.

Now the only thing I haven't done from before is change the fuel filter, but I have no clue if that's even part of the problem. Basically I am curious if anyone has any other ideas before I look at the fuel pump/filter and maybe the carb. Here are some other notes about the car; it usually idles okay, but it can be a little rough (and my exhaust will shake making a noise) but it seems to be pretty random. Also something of note is that the above problem happened under the same circumstances both times, I was on the highway going fast (75 mph or so) and then the above symptoms kicked in.

Thanks!

[carpenter_jai]

What kind of fuel are you using? My first car was an 83 Renault Alliance. Piece of sh*t. First year to come out with EFI. The EFI would plug up on me and stall. Couldn't start up again for a couple of hours. The problem only happened when I had the throttle wide open, or close to. I eventually figured it was the etanol or methanol in the gas. Never could say for sure since I got rid of the beast. My theory is based on someone telling me that ethanol/methanol in gas plugged up the early EFI's. Try running 87 octane gas without any ethanol or methanol. If that doesn't work, maybe get a fuel injector cleaner, and try that.

Good luck,

Jai

[geozukigti]

Sounds like a clogged fuel filter or cat to me.

[Fern25]

thanks for the feedback guys. Carpenter_Jai, I have been using 87 Octane and I think there is additives like you mentioned, I will pay closer attention when filling up and look at adding some kind of cleaner and see what happens. I am kind of leaning towrds geozukigti on this one though because to make things more interesting I think the problem has gone away for now, as I was able to get up to 60mph earlier today and it would seem to be related to changing the 02 sensor and plugs. I will do another highway test at higher speeds and see what happens (the car is also idling better now after changing the 02 sensor).

Here's a couple of other notes too, there is a leak in the exhaust and if have the car on and put my hand near the leak I can feel the exhaust but it comes out in sputters, it's not a consistent flow. Also when I put my hand near the exhaust leaks I get a black deposit of crud on my hand but maybe thats normal.

I have read of ways to check a catalytic converter by drilling a hole in it, but does anyone know of another way to determine if it's clogged?

Thanks again guys, will keep you posted!

[carpenter_jai]

Ive read (on Wikipedia) that additives to fuel tend to "poison" catylitic converters. It was the introduction of cats that prompted lead to be removed from fuel. Anyway, here is a portion of what it says.

Poisoning can sometimes be reversed by running the engine under a very heavy load for an extended period of time to raise exhaust gas temperature, which may cause liquefaction or sublimation of the catalyst poison. Common catalyst poisons are lead, sulfur, zinc, and phosphorus; Zn, P, and S originate from lubricant antiwear additives, like eg. ZDDP, sulfur additionally originates from fuel impurities.

here is the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_Converter

Hope this helps.

Jai

[DOCTORBILL]

It doesn't cost much to replace the fuel filter.

I had plugged fuel filters on a VW Rabbit and a Honda Civic.

Same random bullshit.

If it keeps up after that.......keep Sherlock Holms'ing the problem.

I am beginning to wonder if Geo Metros are just small piles of crap.

Way too much of these types of problems are here on this forum - same kind of problems.

"Sweet Spot" bullcrap. Way too many sensors and then the ECM to boot.

I am becoming discouraged. No way to work on a problem but to play swap EXPENSIVE
parts and see if it works.

Or go to a repair shop, drop yer drawers and bend over!

Except they also play the swap EXPENSIVE parts and see if it works too!

At your expense.... I really don't believe they know from squat either!

Too bad we can't go back to riding horses. They even make fertilizer as a by-product.
But then some environmental morons would complain about Horse Farts and Methane and
there would be 'legislation' to BAN HORSES and then Bush would be blamed for Global
Warming due to excessive Horse-Farts

Gadzooks! Holy Horse-Apples, Batman!

DoctorBill

[putputt]

Originally Posted by DOCTORBILL

It doesn't cost much to replace the fuel filter.

I had plugged fuel filters on a VW Rabbit and a Honda Civic.

Same random bullshit.

If it keeps up after that.......keep Sherlock Holms'ing the problem.

I am beginning to wonder if Geo Metros are just small piles of crap.

Way too much of these types of problems are here on this forum - same kind of problems.

"Sweet Spot" bullcrap. Way too many sensors and then the ECM to boot.

I am becoming discouraged. No way to work on a problem but to play swap EXPENSIVE
parts and see if it works.

Or go to a repair shop, drop yer drawers and bend over!

Except they also play the swap EXPENSIVE parts and see if it works too!

At your expense.... I really don't believe they know from squat either!

Too bad we can't go back to riding horses. They even make fertilizer as a by-product.
But then some environmental morons would complain about Horse Farts and Methane and
there would be 'legislation' to BAN HORSES and then Bush would be blamed for Global
Warming due to excessive Horse-Farts

Gadzooks! Holy Horse-Apples, Batman!



DoctorBill

Geezus,

iz this forum for bitch boys or what? Take your Bushies "sweet spot" and pack him and then STFU! My god .

ADMIN plz remove my membership from this shithole please!!!!

Gonna go hang wit the Hommies @ TeamSwift beeeeatches!

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahah ahahahahaha.

[carpenter_jai]

Too bad we can't go back to riding horses. They even make fertilizer as a by-product. But then some environmental morons would complain about Horse Farts and Methane and there would be 'legislation' to BAN HORSES and then Bush would be blamed for Global Warming due to excessive Horse-Farts

No, you can just get the same drugs for your horse that they are starting to use on cows to decrease the methane global warming farts. The down side is that you will have a fight on your hands with the animal rights activists! oh, wait, I think I am one. A crap, you can't win. Sorry Doc.

Jai

[DOCTORBILL]

I believe "PutPutt" was late getting his Meth fix for the day....

"Gonna go hang wit the Hommies @ TeamSwift beeeeatches!"
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahah ahahahahaha.

Jeez, I hope they tell him where to go over at TeamSwift!.....He done gots problems!

Back to reality -

Do they actually have drugs to make cows stop farting methane!? Where can I get them!?

The reason I am asking is that I could use them myself!

It would be so nice for me and those around me if I could eat all those 'good for you foods'
and not wipe out everyone with my own gas....!

Oh, sorry PutPutt - do I offend you? - It appears that it isn't difficult to offend you.

Like I care a whole lot.

DoctorBill

PS - Hey "Fern25", did you ever get the problem fixed in San Diego, my old San Diego
State College home town (Master's Degree in Chemistry 1966 - 1968).

[unbe]

[quote=putputt]Geezus,



ADMIN plz remove my membership from this shithole please!!!!
Putput,
You don't have to bother admin just don't come back to this forum if you don't like it.Doc was using what is called sarcasm, it's a type of light hearted humor that some of us on this forum enjoy.He is able to employ it without words like shizzle ,homie and bling bling perhaps that is what you found offending.On behalf of myself and the rest of the literate world I would extend my deepest apologizes.
Unbe

[DOCTORBILL]

Geezus,
iz this forum for bitch boys or what? Take your Bushies "sweet spot" and pack him and then STFU! My god .
ADMIN plz remove my membership from this shithole please!!!!
Gonna go hang wit the Hommies @ TeamSwift beeeeatches!
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahah ahahahahaha.

I believe, from the grammar and word usage, that we witnessed here what is called
a "Drive by shooting...".

Maybe he-she-it is gone for good - back to the crib....

DoctorBill

[coopdavillage]

to check the fuel pump take off the gas cap and hold your ear to the hole with it running if it has a steady hum it should be ok (its perfectly safe just don't be smoking ) also you might want to check the timing that usually seems to be the problem. as for the catalytic converter you will know if its plugged because you wont be able to get any speed, i had an 84 civic that was clogged and couldnt get over 35 downhill on a mountain ended up punching a hole in it to drive worked though . good luck