geo metro 1.3L

[fubar]

Hello all, I have a 1992 geo metro 4dr sedan 5spd. I have to replace the head gasket. It has bubbling in the radiator overflow tank. The motor is a 1.3L .
Are are the 1.3L motors the same? That is , is a swift , metro and suzuki 1.3L motor all the same in terms of the head gasket?

Thanks

[Johnny Mullet]

Metro/Swift/Firefly are all the same 1.3L

[fubar]

Thank you J M I was hoping for that answer ! As it turned out I went ahead and
ordered a full gasket set off ebay.Hopefully, I'll be a successful bider. I don't want to start ripping it apart until I get the new parts. If that fails I may try that liquid guck that claims to seal head leaks in the block & gasket.

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

Metro/Swift/Firefly are all the same 1.3L

[my77stang]

i just used this set from an ebay seller

Gaskets

they came with new headbolts too (though i dont think i needed them because the torque setting wasnt a ft/lbs + 90 deg or anything). 80 bucks shipped for the whole deal.

the only problem i saw was that the exhaust gasket had an extra piece of material that covered the #1 spark plug hole. i used a cut off wheel on my grinder to whack that piece off, no big deal.

*edit* by the way you should be getting a valve job while that head is off, resurface the head and have new exhaust valves installed (they like to burn) - reusing the old intake valves are fine. your gasket kit will come with new valve seals so the shop will put those on when they assemble the head as well.

[forsa87]

Are you sure it's a Head Gasket problem and not simply high engine temps due to Fan not engaging at right temp. (or other overheating issue)? ...or is it a "milkshake"?

Originally Posted by fubar

Hello all, I have a 1992 geo metro 4dr sedan 5spd. I have to replace the head gasket. It has bubbling in the radiator overflow tank. The motor is a 1.3L .
Are are the 1.3L motors the same? That is , is a swift , metro and suzuki 1.3L motor all the same in terms of the head gasket?

Thanks

[Wade S]

Suzuki Racing Development(.com)

[fubar]

I've been through this with my old subaru. The bubbling is coming from the radiator tube into the expansion container. However, I do see what you're saying.I guess if the rad cap is fudged it may not be sealing properly....good point. I'll check that let you know. I'll pull the plugs and have a look. There is no milkshake in the oil. I did take th ecap off and noticed it was kind of gibbled. Wouldn't that be sweet a $400 car that only needs a rad cap !

*slap* back to reality

Update: I removed the t-stat and flushed the rad and ran it for a while without a t-stat.There are a small amount of bubbles coming from the rad so it looks like the head gasket is damaged but not very much. I'll start taking it apart in a day or so while my parts are being shipped. It looks like the hardest part will be getting the exhaust manifold off....PB blaster is your friend.!

Originally Posted by forsa87

Are you sure it's a Head Gasket problem and not simply high engine temps due to Fan not engaging at right temp. (or other overheating issue)? ...or is it a "milkshake"?

[fubar]

ok..I got the head off and will take it to a shop this week. It was nasty to remove, so many wires and hoses. The head gasket is damaged in cyclinder 4 ; a very minor fialure to the gasket.There was no burning on the block or head. I cleaned out the EGR ports which weren't blocked. I checked the ECT and it seems to be working. The resistance changes when it's heated. I didn't see the lil gizmo (valve) that is in the block on the 1.0L motors, unless I lost it ..grrrrrr. There was a lot of guck in the water jacket by the cylinders.I suspect the PO used a sealant but it didn't work.

The good news is the cyclinders look very nice and clean. I could't see any scratching or scoring at all, just nice shiny cyclinders.