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Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet
I highly suggest you perform a compression test on all 3 cylinders first. This will answer many questions.
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Yea, I should do that but haven't. I've actually been surprised to find that this car burns very little oil. Since I knew the history on this car and knew it didn't smoke that I'd seen I decided to just drive it and see how it did.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coyote X
Things to check that I can think of off the top of my head other than general tune up stuff.
O2 sensor
exhaust leak at the mainfold
vacuum leak on one of the hoses
dragging brakes or wheel bearings
worn suspension
wheel alignment
Ignition timing set wrong
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The O2 sensor was changed when I got the car along with a full tune up, air & fuel filters, PCV valve, etc. Also put on new tie rod ends, tires, and had a 4 wheel alignment done. Probably should check the timing...a new timing belt was installed about 35K ago and I think that was probably the last time it was touched. Struts are the originals but the car rides decent so I decided to leave them due to my budget. I know the LH rear emergency brake cable doesn't release fully and that wheel drags slightly although I did put new rear wheel bearings in the car for the previous owner last year. The LH front wheel bearings and CV shaft were just replaced the week before last along with the brake rotors/pads/hardware. I put new RH wheel bearings in when I did the brakes but plan on replacing them when I do the CV shaft (which is starting to vibrate slightly). I think they were pretty poor quality and I may have nicked the cage slightly knocking one of them in.
Usually I track my mpg and compare it to
Fuel Economy and find I can better the "combined" rating by 1-2mpg with my driving style. That just happens to be what I'm doing in the Metro so far...but from your responsed I do think I could get another 2-5mpg out of it if I put another couple hundred $$$ in it. Further mpg gains require a lightening of my right foot!
I need to get my LH window to roll up/down and my seat cover replaced before I dive into that stuff though. I snagged a RH seat cover from the local junkyard and I think I can make it work on my LH seat.
Thanks for all the help and advice!
Derek