Schultzy's Geo (& other assorted stuff)

[metroschultz]

OK heres the scoop:
My daughter drives a 1999 Jetta we picked up for cheap


it had issues

we fixed most of it

not all. Still had CEL, "catalyst efficiency low", so 2 new o2 sensors later and reset the light
Everybody's happy.
not really, CEL again 10 days later, same code. Goto my Exhaust guy, we get car on rack, find cat already replaced with aftermarket unit. Turns out to be same one he sells. Krap. He explains to me that the aftermarket one is a really good one, however, sometimes the ECU is too sensitive and will pick up on the, now, fast moving exhaust as inefficiency. doublekrap.
a new one from VW is almost what we paid for the car
***** to some guys at work
found out about the o2 sensor mechanical simulator.(see previous post #26) Apparently you get the same code if you free up your exhaust flow with performance parts.


begin install this am.

Safety First!
Did not follow intelligent procedure and broke relatively new o2 sensor.
Expletives Deleted for our mixed audience
bought new stuff

Grind interior to fit, and test fit o2 sensor.


Get proper tools.

!!use antisieze!! I like the copper based, it gives you a good electrical contact as well as saving you from unnecessary cussing later on.

put it all back together the way it came apart.
Reset CEL and TaDa. It only took 4 hours to accomplish what should have been a 30 minute job.
Moral
If you haven't put one of these in before, test fit, test fit, test fit.
Now she's gotta drive it and see what happens.

Oh Yeah, stopped by VW and got new inserts for the lower bumper cover, Filled them with expanding foam,(what a great idea).(psst don't tell my wife i was using the kitchen counters, it was freezing outside, barely over 50deg f)



Now just gotta wait 24 hours to smooth and shape and paint and reinstall them

Stay tuned, more to come (next week that is)
S.

[metroschultz]

oh krap i was sposed to put away stuf ina attic today{whoops}

[metroschultz]

OK I've been away for awhile. I have been able to get to a 'puter some times. but not as often as I'd like.
I have not had a camera so please forgive the lack of pics.
Since My last post;
I finished the install on my wifes plugs.
We took a trip to Charleston, SC. to visit with relatives. ooh what fun.
We sped all the way so my eco numbers sssuuuccckkk.
However we had a good time and boosted the local economy greatly.
My In-Laws have now been married Fifty years.
I've been working on the block off inserts for the Jetta.
Not working as planned.
The foam is way too soft for any real stability.
So I have made a small indent in the front and filled the resulting hollow with a more permanent substance. Two part epoxy. (trade name - Corvette panel adhesive.)
It comes from a caulk gun tube with a spout that mixes it as you push it out. Very sticky stuff and dries hard as a brick.
That is curing now and I will work it later this week.
I have a lot of house maintenance I have to get to. Car stuff is gonna hafta wait.
I did clear off the Dodge so I can get it repaired then I can get to work on the Geo.
I priced out a re-man crank kit for the Dodge. > $200. Delivered.
SOOO off to the boneyard I go.
I found a 1994 with a reman engine in it and someone had already taken the tranny.
1 hour & 20 min. later I had the engine out and the crank with all necessities in my hot little hand. $25.
OOHH as I was leaving I took a little stroll through the Geo section and found a 1993 xfi. when i went to pull the motor i found it was locked up. that would explain the unbelievable amount of damage to the rear of this car. the rear bumper was pushed in to the spare tire area and all the panels were bent from the collision.
So I just took the cam. $10.
The engine had not been maintained well and the cam has a little scoring on one bearing surface,but, i don't think it is going to cause a problem.
my alarm just went off so i gotta get ready for work.
S.

[MetroMPG]

Quite a landry list!

Congrats on the bargain XFi cam, though.

[metroschultz]

I acquired a camera, so now i can regale you with pics of my exploits.

[IMG][/IMG]
New(used) crank for the Dodge. Note the broken piece of oil seal housing remaining on front end.
This is how you remove it in less than 1.5hrs in the boneyard when you forget your puller.

[IMG][/IMG]

This is the engine it will be going into.
Oh whatta mess. I'll be cleaning that up right away
It was free. I drove it home. The A/C works. Fuggeddaboutit

[IMG][/IMG]

This is my newest prized possession(insert trumpet sound here), A genu-wine xfi camshaft.
From a genu-wine xfi Metro.
Genu-winely crashed to death.
As soon as I have the Dodge runnin' I will be tearing into My Metro.
I now have a;
transmission,
camshaft,
bumper-cover,
all I need is time.& gaskets & rings & bearings & fluids & timing belt & seals & water pump & thermostat &

Oh heck there is still time left before I go to sleep. I'll use that. NOT.
See you in the funny pages.
S.

[metroschultz]

Here is a wonderful pic of my front grill block.
Lovingly laid out in fashionable black duct tape.
Amazingly functional.
If you look closely you can see some of the ripped front cover. The tape is also holding some of the center portion up, the end is pulled from the fender but that is hard to tell. That's why I went and acquired the non torn unit from my favorite boneyard.



The tape is layered on in vertical strips.
Starting from the outside and working toward the center.
I thought this through and decided -- if i need to remove for air i can remove one strip at a time. Building my flow from the center back to the edges.
Some of my seams are pulling apart. Good thing this is the soon to be discarded bumper.



Now I need to get back to work on the Dodge.
I already have a buyer and he wants me to mod it as much as possible before selling it.
But he also wants it to look close to stock.
Hmm, how much of the grill can I cover from the inside before I start loosing cooling?
I already know how to advance the cam without spending any great volume of cash.
That you will want to see.

More pics to follow.
S.

[metroschultz]

I ordered a ScanGauge today!
I am so happy!
Maybe now I can show my Beautiful Bride how to do better with real time feedback info.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thank You all.
S.

[metroschultz]

Due to arrive in my hot little hands on Feb 29. Thanx Again everyone. S.

[metroschultz]

I just checked my log on the Geo. I haven't even made it to EPA yet.
MeHopes it will get better after the reman.
S.

[Ryland]

Fasinating! seems like a good project.
One tip that I found makes things go faster is when you have things like an engine or tranny that you want to install, take them to a self service car wash, there is a presure washer at work I could use but for $4 I don't have to clean up after my self and I can spend as much time as i want getting every little bit of oily gunk off my tranny and engine befor installing them in the car, that way they aren't droping crud in my eyes and are less slipery to hold on to.