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1990 Geo Metro Oil in Air Filter Compartment

Tiny
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  • 1990 GEO METRO
Engine Performance problem
1990 Geo Metro Two Wheel Drive Automatic 150000 miles

My 3 cyl 1990 Geo Metro is running roughly below 20 mph and in checking things in the engine compartment, I discovered oil in the compartment under the air filter. We just replaced the alternator, and when I started to drive the car it is making a grinding sound until the car gets up to about 20 mph.

My real question to start out with, is what does the oil in the air filter indicate?
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Sunday, July 25th, 2010 AT 8:36 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
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Hi there,

Oil in the air cleaner is an indication that the engine is breathing heavy, that is it is creating excessive crank case pressure due to worn piston rings, the excessive pressure carries oil droplets in the vapor through the PCV and in the cooler air box the oil drops out of the air as it cools and pools under the air filter.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, July 25th, 2010 AT 8:47 AM
Tiny
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Would this also make the engine make a lot of noise at acceleration and deceleration?
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Sunday, July 25th, 2010 AT 8:56 AM
Tiny
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Hi there,

If the engine is worn to the point that it is creating excessive blow by, then yes it can cause the engine to rattle as all running clearances are excessive, best to get a mechanic to listen to it just to make sure,

mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, July 25th, 2010 AT 8:59 AM
Tiny
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Thank you so much! At least I have a starting point now
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Sunday, July 25th, 2010 AT 9:02 AM
Tiny
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One last thing, you can get your mechanic to do a leak down test, that will give a good indication as to how mad the rings are, it well may be past doing anything with and a change over engine or a good second hand unit may well be your best option if you want to keep the car.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, July 25th, 2010 AT 9:09 AM

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