new metro owner questions

[94metro]

Hey, I recently purchased a 94 metro 3-cyl stick. Averages between 50-56mpg, burns a quart every 500 miles Turns 2900rpm at 55mph in 5th is this normal or is my tach off. Seems to idle around 900, 11-1200 when cold Seems like I get better mileage in town than on highway mainly because the rpm's are so high, anyone ever put bigger tires on to help this and does it? Also sounds like something dragging the right front wheel, makes a whistling type noise and doesn't spin as free as the left front wheel. Thought that might be because of it being the drive wheel, is it? Are there any other metro message boards that I can check out? Anyway this is strictly a gas mileage car for me, I am not planning on any mods unless it's for gas mileage. The hood looks like it's flown off a couple times as I've heard they have been known to do so I thought about making a ram air or cowl induction scoop for it. Anyone tried something like this did it help? I would mess around with the exhaust but it's not rusted out or anything and it is nice and quiet. All in all not a bad car for $200 bucks has 216,000 miles on what I'm guessing is not the original engine, could it be, I didn't think they lasted that long? Engine shakes at idle bad probably needs a mount but can't feel it in the car too bad. I know this is a long post but I have alot of questions about this car so if there are any important things that need to be checked out or are prone to failure in a metro let me know. Thanks

[Infinitrium]

2900 at 55 in 5th does sound high, but it's probably pretty accurate. There are other message boards, a good one is www.teamswift.net The engine shaking may mean that it's not running too well, do a compression test and see if you have a cylinder that's low, if there is a low cylinder that would certainly explain the shaking. The idle might be a tad high, but I don't think it should cause any trouble.

[cool_geo_guy]

If you have a 3 cylinder 1 liter then i would think that is high. The ideling problem is probably a burned valve which is fairly common in geo engines.

[mcalvo]

94metro:
After I read your post, I check on flat lan my RPM's at 55: 2300-2400. Mine is a 96 4 door 1.3/4 cyl metro. It gives me 34 mpg traveling the most of the time with my wife, my sister in law and myself (for a total 400+ pounds). So, I believe your 55@2900 is just ok because 3 cyl is not suppose to speed that much and you are some way forcing the engine.

The weird thing on your engine is the oil consumption which clearly points to a blown valve but maybe your mpg average (extraordinary high) could be a "damn good problem".

Hope this helps,

MC

[Infinitrium]

It might not be burning the oil, it might be leaking. The gasket underneath the distributor is known to crack and leak oil, my 93 does that.

[Staypuff]

take a good look at the oil pan gasket. it wont seem like it leeks but it does bleed and over time you will need to add oil. so replace that gasket. also make shure you clean the place where the pan and engine meet with the gasket