No power in my metro.......need help

[Zivon23]

hello, I am new here and I have a problem I need help with.

I just recently bought a 91 metro 4 door hatchback. It has the 1.0 liter 3 cylinder engine. Here is my problem.

Sometimes it won't start, or it is hard to start. Once it is started, it sounds like it is struggling to remain started. If I shift it into neutral it idles a little higher but not much. If I put it into reverse, it usually stalls just after I start backing up. Sometimes it won't start back up. About half the time this happens, I smell fuel(like it is flooded or something). Once I do get going in drive, I usually have to have one foot on the gas and one on the brake to keep it running. Also, from a stoplight or stop sign, it feels sluggish and has no acceleration. If I have to go up a hill, I am lucky if I get above 15 mph.

Now....The guy I got the car from said he 'played' with the idle and timing to keep it running. Also, since getting the car, I have done the following.

Changed air filter.
Regapped the plugs.
Oil flush/Oil change.
replaced the PCV valve(which looked like it was clogged with black gook).

I am replacing the sparkplugs and wires tomarrow. What else could/should I do to fix this problem?

Thanks for any advice in advanced.

Zivon23

[geozukigti]

Before you go putting too much money into it. Run a compression test. Sounds like you may have a dead cylinder. Usually caused by a burnt exhaust valve. Not a real expensive fix, but it is a pain to do. Gotta replace the head, or have it rebuilt with a new valve, or valves. Let us know the compression you get in each cylinder.

[Zivon23]

thanks geo...I will look into that asap.

[Crvett69]

done a few valve jobs on geos, found that about 3/4 of the time when you put a rebuilt head on the engine it will start burning oil. with low mile replacement motors so cheap its only about $100 more just to replace the whole motor. might do fine with new head but if it doesn't you still have to replace motor

[Zivon23]

She already blows white smoke from time to time.....I only really notice it if I am in park and revving the engine. whe she is in drive I don't see any conciderable exaust at all. does this help in the diagnosis?