HELP!!!-car won't start

[rruddfan21]

hey guys. yesterday i went out to start my car (91 geo metro, auto) and it did start, but idled TERRIBLY...sounded like a loud and miserable PUTT PUTT PUTT sound in the motor compartment, and driver side door was vibrating pretty bad. anyway, i put it in reverse and gave it gas and it did nothing. went about half throttle and still didn't respond. i eventually had it floored and it moved about half a foot and the died. now it will not start. it is rotating, but won't catch. put in a new battery, it is getting a spark, timing belt is moving, and it is getting gas (my dad tried to start it and flooded it a bit). i'm worried it is either a compression problem or clogged exhaust. when we tried to start it too, there was an occasional pop at the exhaust. please give ideas so i can try them. thank you in advance!!

[Crvett69]

does sound like a compression problem. if you have a compression gauge i would check it, should be above 150 psi with engine cold. also might check dist cap for moisture or arc tracks

[Creosote]

Originally Posted by rruddfan21

hey guys. yesterday i went out to start my car (91 geo metro, auto) and it did start, but idled TERRIBLY...sounded like a loud and miserable PUTT PUTT PUTT sound in the motor compartment, and driver side door was vibrating pretty bad. anyway, i put it in reverse and gave it gas and it did nothing. went about half throttle and still didn't respond. i eventually had it floored and it moved about half a foot and the died. now it will not start. it is rotating, but won't catch. put in a new battery, it is getting a spark, timing belt is moving, and it is getting gas (my dad tried to start it and flooded it a bit). i'm worried it is either a compression problem or clogged exhaust. when we tried to start it too, there was an occasional pop at the exhaust. please give ideas so i can try them. thank you in advance!!

When one suspects a flooded condition, you can unplug the injectors electrical feed at the throttle body, on the three I have its the one on the passanger side of the body, unplug, crank it over and it may start and burn off the excess fuel, then stall as it runs out of fuel.
Plug it back in and you are back to the step before it flooded.
I had an 89` that seemed to run ok , then the first cold snap it would not start. Low compression was the cause. That was thirty thousand miles ago, I purchased rings , an oil pan gasket and a set of rod bearings,
The little cars are easy to work on, the parts are somewhat pricey,
I work in the Auto parts industry and the component prices take my breath away at times.
If you develop a relationship with a reasonable wrecking yard, or better yet are able to store a "donnor" parts car , the savings are tremendous.
I at first had to fix my daily driver and had to slam bang it back together, with extra vehicles I can now fix them up as I can afford it.
My Idea of High performance has changed as I have aged, now one that starts in the Frosty air at o`dark thirty in the morning is My Hi Perfomance.
Regards, Creosote

[rruddfan21]

thanks for the ideas. both replies point to low compression, which was my fear. i don't have a compression gauge, so i will have to go out and buy one. if it shows that yes, there is low compression, and it is NOT a head gasket, then i'm afraid i'll sell the car. it was only $500 and has it's share of problems that include surging...we'll see. thanks guys.