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just got a 93 metro, idles a little high and gets meh mileage.
Topic Started: Feb 17 2010, 07:56 PM (1,019 Views)
sp00n155
New Member
[ *  * ]
complete car specs:
1993
1L 3cyl
5spd
cherry bomb muffler (sounds bad but not terrible, is this hurting my mileage?)
A/C came factory, but has been totally removed. No compressor, evap, ect.
No power steering (don't know if it came with it or not. No belt pump or lines, ect)
No back seat
Manual windows/locks


Just picked up a 93 Metro 1L 5spd about 2 weeks ago. Previous owner rebuilt the engine ~15k miles ago (car has 196k currently) and unfortunately installed a cherry bomb muffler (WHY. WHY?!). This is my first metro. My first car with less than 8cyls actually. Got the car, first thing I do is fill it up. Takes 7 gals from the red mark to the first click on the pump. I burn it all the way down to the red mark again (75% city, 25% hwy), fill it up to first click, this time it takes 7.1gals. I made it exactly 217 miles between these fillups. My rough calculation is 31mpg. I am NOT drag racing this car all over the place. I maintain a steady throttle position, cruise a solid 5-10 under posted limit and shift a little before the green light every time.

I just changed the plugs, wires, cap+rotor. Tires are factory 12" inflated to 35psi (max sidewall pressure on these tires). I also did seafoam through the TB and in the gas. Oil was changed just before I bought the car and still looks good, so I left that alone. Car runs alright, doesn't smoke and never sputters. Its a little finicky to start (have to give it just a little gas) but it never gives me a single problem directly after that. It seems like it idles high, and the idle does not change after the thermostat opens, what are some things I can troubleshoot on why it wont go into closed loop?

What are some other things to run through to see about improving mileage? I've already picked up some aluminum flashing to do the air-dam mod everyone is crazy about here. I'd love to see the 40 to 50mpg range many of you are bragging about.
Edited by sp00n155, Feb 17 2010, 07:59 PM.
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

Welcome to the forum. Try reading this...........
http://geometroforum.com/topic/2617654/
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

Welcome to the forum, sp00n155! :coffee

I happen to love my Jones glasspack. :wub: It has a hot rod sound and reduces back pressure so the engine runs a little easier, not so constipated.
I inflate my 12" tires to 38 psi, however it is winter and between air density, ice, studded tires and witnter fuel mix my last tank was 42 mpg, no trip over 60 RT. But what oil did the PO use? 0-30 Mobile1 or 5W30 is recommended in quality synthetic. Most of us run 8-9o advance timing. May do some upgrades like a ground system, aluminum under pulley and cam pulley? :dunno

Give it time and you'll get more help. ^o)

Got Pictures? :drool
Edited by Bad Bent, Feb 17 2010, 09:56 PM.
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CityConnection
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Sir, yes sir!

Is the car throwing any codes? I had this happen once, disconnected the IAT sensor when working on the air intake and forgot to hook it back up :doh

After plugging it back in I never had to touch the throttle when starting and my mileage went back up.
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sp00n155
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CityConnection
Feb 17 2010, 10:38 PM
Is the car throwing any codes? I had this happen once, disconnected the IAT sensor when working on the air intake and forgot to hook it back up :doh

After plugging it back in I never had to touch the throttle when starting and my mileage went back up.
no codes showing. what is the IAT sensor and where is it so I can check that out
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sp00n155
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just as an update..

I rigged up an extremely unattractive yet functional air dam/front spoiler today using aluminum roof flashing. It'll probably take me a week or more to run through another tank of gas, but I'll report back if I gain anything remarkable.

Also I noticed the previous owner did away with the intake lid and tube.. Its just a bare filter on top of the TBI unit. Anyone got a spare lid and tube laying around? I doubt I'll be able to find any of these cars in local scrap yards.
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metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

Check with Samp,
if he doesn't have one, I do.
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99metro
putt-putt

IAT, Inlet Air Temp. Should be connected to the lower part of the air filter assembly. I'd check your ignition timing and verify your cam timing. I do ignition timing "by ear". As long as the cylinder pressures are good, no reason not to get 45+ on a bad day.
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sp00n155
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Alright, nice sunny day so I decided to fiddle with it today-

Throttle body coolant lines, one goes to water pump other goes to intake manifold, both flowing freely and cleanly. I checked the hoses as well as the metal nipples and all were 100% clear and clean as a whistle.

Checked IAT sensor, was plugged in. Turned car on and let it come up to operating temps and unplugged the sensor, no change in idle. Plugged it back in, no changes. I assume its bad, go to all local parts stores and none of them carry it. I did get a new throttle body coolant temp sender and installed it and it does idle a little lower but I'm still thinking its idling high. It also seems to idle a little smoother and the engine doesn't shake as badly.

Does anyone know where I can source a functioning IAT sensor?

Moving on, I noticed some other various things that may need attention, but I don't know what they are, so I took pictures. Maybe someone can help.

First, bottom of throttle body near the intake manifold, facing the valve cover/front of car there are two hoses that appear to be vacuum hoses that previous owner has blocked off. Should I bother re-connecting these hoses, and if so, where do they go
Pic of what I'm blabbering about-
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Secondly, there are two wires near the thermostat housing (ONE SOLID GREEN, ONE YELLOW W/ GREEN STRIPE) that have quick disconnect clips on the end that are not connected to anything.
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Third, there is a mysterious black box on the firewall with a large plastic set screw w/ a spring behind it with several vacuum hoses running from it. There is an electrical plug on the back of it facing towards the drivers side of the car. The inside of the plug is split in the middle with two contact faces, one on each side.
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Lastly, there is also a solid black wire that appears to be a ground wire (looks factory, screwed into the firewall next to the black box in question) with a plastic housing with a single large male connector inside.
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many thanks in advance for any help with this stuff. if you need more detailed pictures or descriptions, let me know.
Edited by sp00n155, Feb 21 2010, 02:31 PM.
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CityConnection
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Sir, yes sir!

Check your distributor ground wire. I have one that likes to come undone every once in a while and looks pretty similar to the one shown in the bottom pic. Although I never notice a difference in running condition, I just open the hood and see it disconnected.
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