5th Jul 2007, 03:40

I also own a '94 Geo Metro, and reading this site made me smile!!! I now no longer feel alone when it comes to my Geo problems. I owned my Metro for 3 years and I love my lil car, but I have changed the alternator 5x, 10 belts, 1 water pump, got my crankshaft pull replaced and everything aligned AND STILL the squealing will not stop! I could cry everytime I start my car; it stops after a few minutes. This web site gave me a few new ideas to try to keep my lil Metro up and running strong. If anyone finds the cause of our problem or a permanent solution, please post it on here. THANK YOU!

22nd Jul 2007, 22:23

Geo, Sprint and Firefly 1.0 3 cylinder 1 litre cars are all pretty much the same. We currently run seven of them in our family. Our '91 Sprint has over 630,000 kms on it. Common problems tend to be burnt exhaust valves, occasional cam or front crankshaft seals and 1st and 2nd syncros in the standard transmission. With the belt squeal, we find that if we put on a new belt we check it for tightness for the first couple of weeks after install. They can be set fairly tight without hurting the water pump or other components. I use a pry bar to snug it up. We expect to run these cars for a number of more years here in Manitoba, Canada.

5th Aug 2007, 13:29

(1994) Geo Metro belt squealing (for me) was caused by misalignment when I pried to tighten the new belt. When I started it the first time I knew what I had done, because of the squealing. I loosened the belt and pulled hard by hand (no pry bar). That did the trick, the belt does not squeal. I hope you have the same luck.

Be careful not to over tighten if you use a pry bar. It could stess bearings on the Alt. or engine.

26th Aug 2007, 00:14

I bought a two door 1995 Pontiac Firefly SE new. It was ordered and built for General Motors of Canada's Shows and Displays department in Oshawa (I have the original window sticker) in September of 1994, and I purchased it with 241 kilometers showing in March of 1996.

It has a 3 cylinder 5 speed with a/c, anti-lock brakes, am/FM/CD/cassette with 4 speakers, dual front airbags, dual remote mirrors, storage pockets on the backs of both front seats, rear wiper, floor mats with Pontiac embroidered on the front mats, rear cargo cover, body side guard moldings, 7 spoke deluxe wheel covers, up-level seat cloth, tachometer instrument panel and passenger vanity mirror - all still working.

I got 160000km from the factory spark plugs, 280000km when it got its first valve job, 440000km from the alternator, 550000km from the fuel filter, 600000km from the fuel pump and today has 849500km on it.

Except for the windshield and tires, all the parts on the car are original or GM replacement parts. It still has the original starter, wiper motors, and rear shocks/springs/suspension.

I get 600km per tank in winter, and 600km summer with the a/c on. In summer with a/c off I get 800km. Last summer I drove from Brampton to Ottawa and back on one tank of regular gas, a distance of 1040km. It still passes emissions.

It's a good time for GM to resurrect and update this world leader in economy and durability.

27th Aug 2007, 09:07

I had 94 Geo for 2 years. Last week end I had to crank the engine a few times in order for it to start. It hesitated on driving off after it started. So I poured in a bottle of injector cleaner. This morning it wouldn't start after I make a stop. Has anyone replaced the fuel pump... or what may be wrong? Any suggestion.

Anthony.lau@us.army.mil.

30th Mar 2008, 21:54

I own a 91 Pontiac Firefly 1.0 litre automatic convertible, I have replaced the alternator with a rebuilt one once and it seems to be fine, there was some squealing but I applied some WD40 to the belt while it was running and the problem stopped, though I am told this is unsafe therefore I only applied little squirts. My current problem is inadequate compression in the third cylinder, I've got around 140/140/120. I've checked valve clearance on a 93 Swift before and successfully regained the engines power but it was a 4 cylinder model, my 3 cylinder seems to be set up in a more vertical manner if that makes sense and the Haynes manual doesn't seem to list a way to check valve clearances. Does anyone know if I should check the clearance between the Cam shaft and lifters, following a tightening or loosening of the bearing caps? I think I will try the EGR(Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system first but, yeah, any suggestions would be appreciated.

Tristan, Alberta Canada.

22nd Apr 2008, 08:33

My mother has a '93 Geo Metro Hatchback with 234K miles on it. Up till last year, she hit a deer, it had been in mint condition (besides the mileage). She said she took it to a shop, but now it is making a high pitched squealing sound. I've been told to adjust the belt and to replace any fluid in the engine.

The car runs very nicely except for the squeal. Not much rust on the outside and she has always kept the engine free of grime, which has helped keep the car running smoothly. The car is great on gas, I only fill it every three to four weeks.

1st May 2008, 13:44

I have a 93 metro convertible LSI. I thought it was a little dorky at the time that I bought it but love it now. It is a great car to drive back and forth to work. It has 157k miles on it and I am still getting 53 mpg out of it if I really baby it. It still runs like a champ, and I have also had belt squeaking issues, especially when it is wet out. But I replaced the belt and it has helped greatly.

14th May 2008, 02:03

I have had my '94 Metro for the past 12 years; currently with 231k+ miles on it, and another '90 for the past 6-7 years with 180k+ miles on it. Between them I think I have been thru 3 alternators, and every time we replace the alternator(s), it seems like the belt starts squealing shortly after. One time it ended up being a bad alternator. The other times we have just had to tighten it with a pry bar (gently) a few weeks after the alternator was replaced. I have not been particularly diligent with maintenance, but they have both been remarkably trouble free. I would recommend this little car to anyone - at least the 5 speed.

6th Mar 2009, 21:41

I just purchased a 1994 Geo Metro 4 dr hatchback with 89677 miles on it. The person who had it before treated it badly and blew the motor. The car cleaned up nicely and drives great. After reading what is written here, I am happy to have purchased it. By the way, I only paid $200.00 for the car.