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Metro won't warm up, poor heat.; Bad MPG as well
Topic Started: Dec 3 2010, 12:19 AM (6,359 Views)
undgsx-R
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Self Certified Garage Mechanic

So lately, my Metro has had some bad heat. My car will not stay at operating temp when the heat is on, plus the heat is not very warm. Today, I replaced the thermostat and the coolant. I let the car run until it was up to temp, turned on the heat and drive 1 mile to the gas station, and the temp gauge was at the "C". Also I am getting bad FE, I pulled the plugs and the car is running rich. Correct me if I am wrong, but this could cause the problem correct?
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JoeBob
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Why you Mutt!

undgsx-R
Dec 3 2010, 12:19 AM
So lately, my Metro has had some bad heat. My car will not stay at operating temp when the heat is on, plus the heat is not very warm. Today, I replaced the thermostat and the coolant. I let the car run until it was up to temp, turned on the heat and drive 1 mile to the gas station, and the temp gauge was at the "C". Also I am getting bad FE, I pulled the plugs and the car is running rich. Correct me if I am wrong, but this could cause the problem correct?
I'd drive a bit more than a mile. I know it takes several miles before my thermostat opens up, especially if it is really cold (to me, 25-30 degrees qualifies as really cold, but I'm from So. Cal.) outside. Try a longer drive and see if the car warms up more. Then check the plugs again...I suspect they might look a bit better.

Good luck...
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zcrayfish
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Definitely not driving it far enough.
Most cars run rich when cold.
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Jim-Bob
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I agree. You need to give it a few miles before it will start to warm up. This is an aluminum block engine after all and they are very efficient at shedding heat. This is great during the summer time but sucks in the winter. While I have yet to drive my Metro, I do know that the iron block 4 in my Frontier takes about 3-5 minutes of driving before the temp gauge starts to move when the temp is below 40.
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CityConnection
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Sir, yes sir!

Check the little coolant hoses that run to the intake manifold (kinda like big vac hoses) and see if they get hot when the engine is warm. They seem to get clogged quite a bit as these cars age. Usually you can just shoot water through them from a hose and it will clear them out.

Free and easy to check!
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undgsx-R
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CityConnection
Dec 3 2010, 02:22 AM
Check the little coolant hoses that run to the intake manifold (kinda like big vac hoses) and see if they get hot when the engine is warm. They seem to get clogged quite a bit as these cars age. Usually you can just shoot water through them from a hose and it will clear them out.

Free and easy to check!
The coolant hoses were warm, I don't know if I mentioned the car had already been running for close to an hour. It was fully warmed when I left my house. Within the one mile drive the car cooled off, and was putting off no heat. I popped the hood, and took off the radiator cap and there was no pressure. I tried to put more coolant in the car, but it would not take anymore. So I assume the radiator was full. I am kind of at a loss right now.

BTW, the temp was about 5 deg outside.
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undgsx-R
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It takes me 5 miles or so for the temp gauge to even move in my car.
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CityConnection
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Sir, yes sir!

You have an over-cooling issue. A few things can cause this:

bad clutch fan (not equipped on the Metro)
shorted electric radiator fan
bad thermostat
improperly installed thermostat
failed "fail-safe" thermostat
air-lock

What's the service history? Did you recently repair or modify anything before it gave you trouble?
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Horn


maybe disconnect the fans for a little while and see what happens
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undgsx-R
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Well the engine was rebuilt about 5k miles ago. I never noticed a problem with the temp until it got cold of course. Ever since I has been cold I have been having this problem, this is why I replaced the thermostat. There is a possibility that I got it installed incorrectly, but I don't think that I did. How is it possible to install a thermostat incorrectly?
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poorman1


:rocker put a piece of card board in front of your radiator
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JohnyP
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Did you try burping the radiator?
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dale2
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JohnyP
Dec 3 2010, 08:56 AM
Did you try burping the radiator?
I have heard burping the rad before. could this be a problem with low heat in my 1993 metro?And how would I go about burping the rad?Could a bad rad cap cause poor heat?
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Coche Blanco
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It takes me several miles for the temp gauge to move...maybe nothing is wrong?
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

undgsx-R
Dec 3 2010, 03:15 AM
How is it possible to install a thermostat incorrectly?
The spring side should be down, engine side. as the old one came out, and there should be an air bleed valve in the top of the thermostat. Maybe a small hole near the flange. Compare to the old one.

I have raised the front end up on my floor jack to get the radiator neck above the TB hoses and run the engine for 5-10 minutes, refilling as necessary. I then drive it 10-15 miles and check the reservoir level. After it has cooled down, later in the evening, I remove the cap and see if it needs filling. Repeat tomorrow and check the reservoir daily for a while.

Blocking the radiator would be a good thing if you are in 5 degree Fahrenheit weather. I love my Kats in-line coolant heater for cold mornings. :)
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