What a guy would do for a Geo Metro XFI !

[lightfoot]

Apparently both your car and the one at http://www.livesteaming.com/metro.htm are MT because both of you mention 5th gear? But he describes filling his transmission with ATF. I've never heard of an MT taking ATF (Auto Trans Fluid). Generally it's gear lube or (for many Hondas) motor oil. Maybe he meant MTF??

[drimportracing]

Good luck and post us some before pics. - Dale

[Right Lane Cruiser]

John, I've heard of using ATF in newer MT vehicles, but the seals have to be the right type to handle it. Otherwise that stuff will eat right through them!

[billy]

....Exactly right, Sean. All Metro XFI's are 5-speed, and indeed ATF is specified for the tranny. Red Line makes a super slippery synthetic ATF, and many of the other brands are excellent also. One can read up on it at www.bobistheoilguy.com

[lightfoot]

Originally Posted by billy

....Exactly right, Sean. All Metro XFI's are 5-speed, and indeed ATF is specified for the tranny. Red Line makes a super slippery synthetic ATF, and many of the other brands are excellent also. One can read up on it at www.bobistheoilguy.com

Thanks for the info Sean and Billy, I had never heard of MT's that specify ATF.

[drimportracing]

Geo Metros are notorious for having weak manual transmissions, damage is rarely caused by a too small end bearing at the input shaft. If you were to "race" this little engine and shift at 4K rpms often, within a few short months to a year you will be having problems with shifting. Before I hypermiled I used to "dog" my cars relentlessly and by shifting too late you transfer too much torque on this shaft too quickly causing it to "wander". I owned two metros before I stopped eating them up with race minded techniques.

With more responsible driving, the gear synchronizers will more often wear between second and third, this is the usual point of hardest shifting. I have had both of these problems separately and in one lucky Metro both the input shaft bearing and the synchro's were bad!

To prevent unnecessary damage I have found that if I shift between 2 to 3k rpms I save fuel, prevent excessive work on the input shaft and also don't make the synchros work too hard. If you pull the transmission to replace the clutch you can check the input shaft play without opening the trans case. You can check end play and side to side play, there should be 0 to .002" of end play and 0 side play in my opinion...I'm too far away from a shop manual to give actual professional advice. If the input shaft is moving around you will hear it roaring like a bad wheel bearing, grinding both gears and synchros by misalignment.

I use Pennzoil Synchromesh manual transmission fluid and it does amazing things to a car with 'bad" synchronizers. If you drain your fluid and find fine metallic particles covering the magnetic drain plug you can probably benefit from it's use. With two Metros I have used or recommended Pennzoil Synchromesh, both of them shift better than expected and mine gives zero indication of previous wear.

I have never used automatic transmission fluid in a Metro. - Dale

[drimportracing]

Pictures taken this morning:

Geo Metro manual transmission rebuild kit with synchronizers $170 shipped

Notice the three toed sloth, that's me

Input shaft bearing and synchronizer set


Expanded view of trans internals


Close up of the suspected culprit item #164


I bought this kit months ago to rebuild my transmission but tried Pennzoil Synchromesh instead and now I can take pretty pictures of it whenever I want. - Dale

Edit, adding link to seller of this kit on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-Ge...Q5fAccessories

[billy]

Dale --- nice info, thanks. Where did you purchase the rebuild kit from?

On my '92 XFI, the tranny shifts very well, but there are 2 problems: it pops out of 4th gear when under acceleration, and 5th gear makes a "whining" sound. Maybe I should try some Pennzoil Synchromesh? What is your recommendation?

[drimportracing]

Is the shifter an aftermarket or speed shifter? If it is then replace it with the stock one quickly. Jack up the car and see if the transmission is secure on all three mounts, does the transmission move towards the firewall and hit when hard shifting? Are the mounts torn or missing bolts? (I lost one bolt at the firewall bracket, 10 cent replacement, problem solved)

Pennzoil Synchromesh probably won't help it from popping out of gear, that sounds like something is misaligned or worn.

If you just had new fluid put in it and drained it into a clean pan and replaced it with Pennzoil Synch you could look at the fluid and see what you may have loosened up that was in the case. Just be sure to check the magnetic drain plug closely for very fine ground material (looks almost like babbit material) and the occasional slightly larger but still very small gear tooth chip from a missed gear shift or reverse at 40mph grind.

Turn your radio off and listen when you shift is 5th gear really the only gear you hear whining or can you not hear it ever so slightly in each gear getting progressively louder?

If you can hear it through all gears then first check your wheel bearings, I had the misfortune a few months ago of misdiagnosing a bad trans when it was really a wheel bearing, I still get ribbed by my friend Mark for pulling the trans on that one. The sound was traveling through the hub..CV axle..trans case..CV axle (other side).

I bought a mechanics stethoscope for $1.99 and located it within 10 seconds after we swapped the transmission and it was still there. Now I have perfect transmission sitting on my work bench (not for sale).

I've got to go to work but I can tell you what to look for lte tonight when I get home.

Transmission kit is on Ebay, I'll get seller's name tonight but you won't want to tackle that one unless your really adventurous. - Dale

I now call Mark up and say "Man, I think the (replace with something easier to change on a car than a transmission)windshield wipers are worn out, can you come over and help me pull the transmission? I always get a laugh from him then a string of bad words, great fun!

I added link to seller of kit to the post with pictures. Gotta go!

[zOdeac]

Hello all. I have a 1991 Geo Metro XFI and i was wondering will the speed up chip they sell on eBay get me better gas and performance? I get 60mpg now.

I am thinking of ordering the wheel well covers and a new bumper because my friend that's got the same car said he gets almost 70mpg because of the way the air flows.

I'm really interested in the chip but don't want to wast the money on it unless it works.

How i got my XFI It was at a auto action no one wanted it because the window regulator was broken. the drivers class was in the back seat and both drivers and passengers door panels in the back as well. I put it all together now and i only paid $250 for the car 3 years ago. 120 in new exhaust and about 50 dollars plugs wires and stuff to make the car smell better. oh ya the regulator cost me $15 from another 2 door i found

SO anyone that is looking for one check the auctions you will find them.