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| the guy selling this 98 metro is perplexing me; car stutters when accelerated | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 11 2014, 11:08 AM (698 Views) | |
| shatheone | Jun 11 2014, 11:08 AM Post #1 |
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New Member
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so i found this metro in the craigslist ads, and it looks to be in really good shape, 102k miles, clean, no dents etc. he tells me thats he just replaced spark plugs and brakes but the car needs spark plug wires. he was planning on replacing the wires before he sold them... the reason it needs wires is because stutters when he accelerates and the mechanic has told him thats what needs to be replaced. its a daily driver and he drives it like that my question is, if you do all youre mechanically inclined, then why would you not just replace the wires if thats it need to run and drive smoothly? its like a $30 part if that Edited by shatheone, Jun 11 2014, 11:15 AM.
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| nathan298 | Jun 11 2014, 11:10 AM Post #2 |
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Geo Resurrector
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Metros tend to burn exhaust valves and cause symptoms similar to bad plugs or plug wires, so his story leads me to believe it might have a burnt valve or something. Do a compression test before you buy it.
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| faygoninja | Jun 11 2014, 11:12 AM Post #3 |
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| shatheone | Jun 11 2014, 11:16 AM Post #4 |
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i have a scan tool, would that tell me anything if i run a diagnostics? stutter is explained as it just not taking off right away. it goes but the stutter seems to hold it then it will go. Edited by shatheone, Jun 11 2014, 11:34 AM.
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| jonathan180iq | Jun 11 2014, 12:03 PM Post #5 |
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Not Really All That Smart
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It can tell you all kinds of things and I would recommend pulling anything the computer will give you before you buy. You're already ahead of 99% of other potential buyers. But it's not going to say "Burnt exhaust valve on cylinder 3." It'll just be a few periphery codes that kind of point in that general direction. |
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| Memphis metro | Jun 11 2014, 12:10 PM Post #6 |
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Anything could be wrong with the car. Do not buy it until is runs right. Tell him, if all it needs is the plug wires to be made to run right, tell him to buy the wires and install them and when it is running right he can add the cost of the plug wires to the cost and you will pay for the car and the wires he put on. Do not buy it until it runs right. |
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| shatheone | Jun 11 2014, 03:51 PM Post #7 |
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yeah he said he already priced the spark wires through auto zone and said he would most likely put them on this weekend. thanks all for the help |
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| Highwayman | Jun 11 2014, 04:09 PM Post #8 |
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I just purchased 12 air filters, 12 fuel filters, 6 plug wire sets, 6 timing belts of each type, and 12 oil filters, 6 fuel pumps of two different types. All the filters were about 3 dollars each. The plug wire sets were 5 dollars per 3 cylinder set. I buy alot at a time to reduce shipping cost plus I can buy 6 items from Rock auto online for what 1 item costs at Autozone. I also purchased around 12 head gaskets. |
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| Highwayman | Jun 11 2014, 04:23 PM Post #9 |
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Sorry, I am ADD. I actually meant to say that you didnt say if the 98 was a 3 or 4 cylinder. Or automatic or standard trans. When I purchased my 2001 it had the red fault light on. I drove to walmart and purchased a scantool. I cost around 80 dollars but it was still cheaper than paying the dealership to use their scanner. The tool screen said (missfire on #1 cylinder) I pulled the sparkplug and it had a real wide gap. Which can cause your symptoms. If a 3 cylinder likely a burnt valve, If a 4 cylinder less likely. I gapped the plug and my new car ran like new. |
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| NESNER | Jun 11 2014, 04:28 PM Post #10 |
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Checking gap is always a good start. Definitely wires. and if you happen to have your scan to check for stored codes. Otherwise great find |
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| Highwayman | Jun 11 2014, 04:33 PM Post #11 |
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Another thing I forgot to mention, The distributor cap has a vent hole in it. The vent hole allows steam to get into and allover the inside of the cap. I had that happen to me this last fall and I spent half the winter with starting problems and stumbling problems. Wheni finally decided to replace the entire distributor, thats when I noticed the wet oily interior of the cap. |
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| Highwayman | Jun 11 2014, 04:54 PM Post #12 |
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One last thing before I sign off for the afternoon; I purchased all those fuel pumps to experiment or see what the difference was as I needed to replace my fuel pump on my latest addition (91 4 door automatic) While waiting for the pumps to arrive I pulled out the back seat to unplug the fuel pump plug and the white connector was black on one side. I cut it off and replaced the plug ins with a couple of crimp on connectors, and the car runs great and doesnt need a fuel pump acter all. It is wonderfull owning 12 geos of most types, I still need a convertable...... |
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| shatheone | Jun 12 2014, 11:08 PM Post #13 |
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sorry for the late reply, i didnt realize anyone else replied lol actually its a 98 metro lsi 4 door, so it should be a 4 yclinder. he said he was going to replace the wires so im not going to worry about the stumbling, and car looks to be very well taken care of so im thinking a buy if it works out. EDIT: who can i talk to to get this thread moved to the geo lounge? Edited by shatheone, Jun 12 2014, 11:08 PM.
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| jonathan180iq | Jun 13 2014, 07:43 AM Post #14 |
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Not Really All That Smart
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Mods will be in here shortly and they'll move it if they need to. If this is a 4 door 4 cylinder it is less likely that you have some type of major problem with the stumbling. It's a much scarier scenario for us 3 cylinder guys. Those are good cars, just don't expect to compete with the fuel economy of the 2 doors and you'll love it. It's smaller than all of the other sedans on the market that I can think of, so you get ease of parking and maneuverability while still getting respectable mileage. Enjoy your new car and don't be a stranger. |
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| Greywolf | Jun 26 2014, 06:41 PM Post #15 |
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Mostly Harmless
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If the price is right, just grab the sucker. My general rule of thumb is that any vehicle I am getting from someone used is 100% AFU to begin with, and I never trust it until I do my own hands on magic with it from one end to the other. Having said that, it IS a four cylinder and for all you know the guy caused his own stumbling problem when he put in the plugs himself. These days not everyone even knows that plugs have to be gapped. The dude could have dropped one dead on the electrode in the driveway and installed it with a closed gap - there is no way to know, and no need to trust someone elses work. You don't know how good that guy is at it, DO YOU? Myself, I've had the car and tools bug since the early seventies and there isn't much I haven't seen at this point. Bottom line is you don't know the truth about the car until you see it with your own eyes. Edited by Greywolf, Jun 26 2014, 06:43 PM.
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