Faults:
Smokes intermittently - inexplicably will start puffing a huge cloud of smoke on the same part of the freeway on the way home... but stops after a few minutes & I can't get it to smoke any other time - when starting, idling, high-revving, etc., runs great. There was a little oil in the air cleaner, so I don't know if the PCV valve is out or what.
Speedo/odometer/trip meter quit about 2 days after I bought the car. Have checked all the fuses, & the speedo cable didn't squeak before it quit - it just suddenly died.
Starter clicks 10-15 times before the car will start. Previous owner stated that several starters were installed, most recently in 6/06, but problem persists. Starter and solenoid are on one assembly.
Temp gauge fluctuates wildly... will be at near 0 most of the time, then jump to half or more. Both radiator hoses get hot & the car doesn't overheat.
Check Engine light on - Code 42: I replaced the pickup coil, distributor cap, rotor, plugs & wires, & reset the computer. Light went off.
AC compressor out.
Hood doesn't close right.
Cigar lighter not working; fuse intact.
Stereo shuts off at moderate volume.
Loses power appreciably on hills; I've had to go all the way down to 3rd gear on occasion. This could be par for the course for a small engine & not a defect.
General Comments:
I drive about 110 miles a day & wanted a super-economical ride to get me there. I did my research and checked out this site & found almost all favorable reviews, so I went for it. I love my Geo; it's fun to drive, cute, & surprisingly roomy... I just can't believe how much is wrong with it. It has 115k on it, but supposedly 40k was towed behind a motor home, so it shouldn't be this worn out already.
I do most of my own repairs & I'm open to ideas... if anyone has had similar problems or knows any solutions to these issues, please e-mail me at joeydreamz@yahoo.com or post a comment on this site. Any help would be appreciated.
1st Feb 2007, 13:11
Its either 1 liter or 1.3 litre, the base came with the 1.0 and the LSI with the 1.3, all really really slow engines...