99 metro 4cyl. smokes - worth rebuilding?

[cal058]

Are the 1.3 motors worth rebuilding? If so, what is a ball park figure to do it, and if not, any ideas on finding a good 1.3 engine.
I would also like to find a spare auto trans. for a 95-2000 Metro 1.3
Thanks, Carl

[91Caprice9c1]

Under what condition does it smoke, what color is the smoke, and how much does it smoke? You may just need valve seals? or a head gasket? Or a PCV valve?

If you like the car and utilize it routinely a rebuild can be worth it, especially for what these things are going for these days. Performing the removal/installation and disassembly and reassembly of the engine yourself expect ~$4-800 for machine work and parts.

[sbiddle]

My '99 1.3 smokes only at startup, and other than that no smoke. I did a compression check on a cold engine and got 125, 120, 90, 120. I think it's supposed to be much higher, but some of this may be due to the cold engine. My 18 yr old son drives it and I'm not too anxious to do too much since he's likely to smash it up anyway.

[91Caprice9c1]

Originally Posted by sbiddle

My '99 1.3 smokes only at startup, and other than that no smoke. I did a compression check on a cold engine and got 125, 120, 90, 120. I think it's supposed to be much higher, but some of this may be due to the cold engine. My 18 yr old son drives it and I'm not too anxious to do too much since he's likely to smash it up anyway.

Those compression readings are low, and one cylinder really isn't doing so hot, but the engine needs to me warmed up - it makes a significant difference, and if you care to do it again, do a dry test and a wet test to determine if rings or valves are causing the low readings. Smoking only at start-up (esp. after sitting overnight) indicates bad valve seals - which are relatively easy to replace.

-MechanicMatt

[Hugemoth]

As long as the rest of the car is in good shape I would definitely fix the engine. You'll know where you stand once you do a proper compression test. Supposing it needs rings and valves, and you're going to do the work yourself, you should plan on about $200 for the machine shop head work. $40 for a gasket set and $40 for a ring set. Once complete you'll know you have a good engine that will last a long time.

BTW: I put valve seals in my 1.3 SOHC engine yesterday. Took about an hour. 3 of the 8 valve seals were bad, the sealing lip broke away from the lower part that attaches to the valve guide. They were only a year old. The symptoms were smoke at start up and smoke when coming on the throttle after a long down hill run.

Q