geo metro bad milage 33mpg help help!!!

[brupp]

i have a 97 geo metro 1.0 liter.it has 97,000 miles on it. i bought it used and gave it the usual tune up items air,filter fuel, plugs wires, ect, ect.. all was well, getting 51 mpg.... then one day it sputtered and shuttered and i have been getting 33 mpg since ..... i have checked all the new parts that i installed, they are all like new....brakes aren't draging, tires pressure is fine, i have done compression check all it fine there too ....... anyones help is greatly appriciated!!!!

[idmetro]

Check out this earlier post it may have your answer.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=504657

[brupp]

i had read that post before,,, but i don't have a kinked or plugged return hose,,, but thanks for the suggestion ..... i am not sure what else to try ... i have checked timing, and that i fine ,,, however when i jumper the two wires,,, and twist the distributor i am unable to change the base timing,,, so maybe i have other troubles........

[idmetro]

Can you further describe "sputtered and shuttered"? Does it run poorly all the time? What kind of plugs did you install and how long after you put them in did the problem start? The inability to change the timing definitely sounds odd; Have you checked the various vacuum hoses for a crack/break?

[geozukigti]

If your base timing won't change, perhaps your cap and rotor are shot. It could be only arcing from one point on the rotor, or the terminals are all "welded" from arcing too much. Try replacing the cap and rotor, they're pretty cheap(unless you already have)

[brupp]

Well The Sputtering Felt Almost Like It Was Running Out Of Gas,,,, Then It Ran Fine.... It Has A New Fuel Filter In It... Plugs Are Stock Replacement..... It Has A Had All Major Tune Up Work Done... I Insected The New Parts To See If They Caused The Sputtering, But They Are All Like New..... It Has However Lost A Fair Amount Of It's Get Up And Go...... I Dunno What Is The Deal... I Have Been Working On Cars For 10 Years And Havn't Seen Something Like This... I Imagine It Is Something Simple,,,,,,,, It Usually Is...

[geozukigti]

Hmm, perhaps it's time to crack the lid open on the fuel pressure regulator and see if any junk got caught in there. Also, try running a tank of 94 octane gas in it. It has some detergents in it that can clean out the fuel system. Could have a gunked up injector.

[brupp]

well i have checked the fuel regulator ,,, everything there is ok...hmmm this thing is weird ... i am going to re-check preasures and vacuum... go though hoses and check things again..

[DOCTORBILL]

This is the same kind of crap my '93 3 cyl did last Fall.

No ECM code, O2 Sensor replaced, Timing belt replaced and OK, new Distributor Cap and
wires. New Fuel Pump. Replaced MAP Sensor. Fuel pump delivers fuel (pressure unknown).
Return Fuel Line OK. Haven't checked timing - can't now.

Does the one injector in the Throttle Body ever give problems?

Won't run w/o flipping the gas pedal.

DoctorBill

[brupp]

umm i havn't noticed any problems with the injector,, although i am leaning towards that as my problem.... but at $250.00 i want to be sure.... the car runs fine ,, but the idle is a tad rough.... motor shakes back and forth a bit ,,,, not to bad ,, but still shakes,,, i know it should not.... the other thing that is weird is i tried running it w/o the map sensor plugged in and it runs just fine!! alittle rough,, but runs fine.... usually the engine should fall flat on it's face!?!?

[geozukigti]

Well, if it runs without the MAP sensor connected, that means you're getting too much fuel at idle. Clean out your FPR. I bet the fuel pressure is too high, and jamming lots of gas through the injector.

[brupp]

What All Is Involved In Cleaning Out A Fuel Pressure Regulator??? Can't Say That I Have Ever Had To Do That... I Took It Apart Yesturday And Everything Inside Looks Clean,,, I Am Going To Do A Fuel Psi Check Today......

[DOCTORBILL]

For about $35 from Schuck's, you get a new rubber membrane with the little metal
thinga-ma-bob on it.

I suppose it is more flexible and responds better/faster...



I replaced mine just for the grins of it.

You are lucky that the bolts came out of the cover!

One of mine broke off - they put permanent thread-lock on the threads when assembling them.



I had to get one from a 'Pull-n-save" lot to replace it. Those came off w/o breaking.



Also! - I replaced the crappy screws/bolts with good metric 'Hex Head' bolts so I would
never have to deal with the Phillips head crappers any more.



BUT - I cannot get the bolts holding the Electricon Fuel Injector Assembly to loosen!
They are 'Tread-Locked' also.....



DoctorBill

[stamar]

i got a quote on a rebuilt injector for my 94 geo for $35

let me find the link for you. this place is worth its weight in gold.


http://www.injectors4u.com/tbi_injectors.htm

can you see the injector spraying fuel? is it intermittant?

[theragtopguy]

Hey Dr. Bill, you could try and heat those screws up with a soldering gun right before you try to remove them, hopefully it will loosen the threadlocker.

PS: I like your new signature. LOL