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hard rough start when cold
Topic Started: Feb 2 2013, 02:21 PM (789 Views)
Metro1695
Geo Newbie/Lifelong Chevy
[ *  * ]
I have '95 3/5 hatchback. It quit idling up after a cold start and now it will barely start when cold and runs rough. I have to give it a little throttle to smooth out til it warms up a little, then it runs great. What do need to test?
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clarkdw


Welcome to the forum. :cheers
Before you get into any long troubleshooting sessions check compression and see if the engine itself is healthy. That is a classic sign of poor compression. Follow this link for the GMF approved compression check method. Follow it to get comparable results. http://geometroforum.com/topic/2574993/1/?x=40
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Memphis metro


Check engine light on? Done a tuneup of sparkplugs, distributor cap and rotor and wires lately? What do the plugs look like? Could be your having idle speed control motor issues or coolant temp sensor issues. Just a few things to think about. Welcome to the forum.

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Car Nut
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Sounds like low compression to me too. Check it out first before throwing a bunch of parts at it.
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Metro1695
Geo Newbie/Lifelong Chevy
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check engine light works as it should. seems like it could be a temp sensor but its not setting a code. im sorry if i havent introduced my self yet. im a lifelong chevy fan and i have a big time interest in the geo that i just bought two weeks ago. my buick park ave. is WOW! BUT THE METRO HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IM MY DAILY COMMUTE! I SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE CAR! I feel a bonding that i have never felt before. What a cool car! Just want to kick back in it and go for the Metro MPG! I think this car runs to well to have a compression issue.
:banana
Edited by Metro1695, Feb 3 2013, 01:35 AM.
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Reista
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Clutzy Shadetree

Metro1695
Feb 3 2013, 01:30 AM
check engine light works as it should. seems like it could be a temp sensor but its not setting a code. im sorry if i havent introduced my self yet. im a lifelong chevy fan and i have a big time interest in the geo that i just bought two weeks ago. my buick park ave. is WOW! BUT THE METRO HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IM MY DAILY COMMUTE! I SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE CAR! I feel a bonding that i have never felt before. What a cool car! Just want to kick back in it and go for the Metro MPG! I think this car runs to well to have a compression issue.
:banana
Even if it runs really well it couldn't hurt to have your comp checked. It's the first place to start. if you have good comp THEN move on to other things like fuel/spark

at LEAST check your plugs, and check their gap. Also, when was the last time to fuel filter was changed? I've seen cars throw fits starting over nasty fuel filters
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

Welcome to your new forum, Metro1695! :coffee

The CEL may not be on but there could be a "pending" code. I got an OBDII code reader off eBay:
Posted Image http://motors.shop.ebay.com/obdII scanner

The problem is the cold weather where everything shrinks a little and your rings/cylinder walls don't have the needed compression to start. IIRC and so the compression test is recommended.

Idle Air Control Valve test: http://geometroforum.com/single/?p=632384&t=4754158

Get a green FSM? motors.shop.ebay.com/Manuals-Literature-/1995+geo+metro+service
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cwatkin


You may have sticky lifters like I did. Does it really sputter and seem like it is missing badly and then run perfect once warm? If so, this sounds like my problem. How about outside temps? Does it happen worse when cold outside? What weight oil do you use?

If this sounds like the situation, you might want to look into new lifters which cost around $50. You can clean the old ones but I figure why not go with new?

Conor
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Metro1695
Geo Newbie/Lifelong Chevy
[ *  * ]
yeah it sputters and seems like a bad miss and runs perfect even before it reaches NOT. outside temp when this happens is usually below freezing. the other day i turned the a/c on and it idled up and i turned the a/c off and the idle remained up til it began to warm just like normal. still think the air temp sensor is faulty.
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clarkdw


The consensus is that a compression test is first in line. Almost every thread started by a new member complaining about running, starting or bad mileage issues ends up with this recommendation with good reason. Experience has shown that unless you do the comp test first you may well end up wasting a ton of time and money trying to fix an engine that is basically not sound and requires a rebuild.
Many times it has been said "my engine runs too well to need a rebuild". With a G10 you will find exactly that. It will run great once warmed up and then it won't run at all.
A comp test is free and easy, do yourself a favor and post the results. If they are as good as you think they should be then we can get on with the real troubleshooting.
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Metro1695
Geo Newbie/Lifelong Chevy
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thanks again for your response. ill check it saturday and post the results
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cwatkin


I had two recent issues that caused such behavior. I would have to say that this sounds like sticky lifters. This happened to me and was worse when the engine was cold as you describe. I also had a poorly adjusted throttle position sensor that was causing similar behavior but would vanish with a tiny amount of throttle. NOTE: DO NOT MESS WITH THE TPS UNLESS YOU KNOW IT IS BAD OR OUT OF ADJUSTMENT! While me messing with this has greatly improved the running of my car, it is a major pain and takes a long time to fine tune and get it set just right. If it ain't broke, don't screw it up!

So, what weight of oil do you run? Too thick can cause this. I replaced the lifters for about $50 and that problem was solved, only to move on to the next ones.

Conor
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