Ya, all you young guys think you are the only ones that can get lucky .HA , take a look ! Us old fart can get lucky every once in awhile.



Went to adjust the valves,put on new valvecover and replace the dist. O-Rings and look what I found. It was just a time bomb ticking away ready to fall out and get a valve spring and guide.
Raz

Kinda has to look close but you will see what I am talking about.
Raz

Nice catch! #2 exhaust would have been a little hurt.

what are we looking for.......i dont see a big wad of cash in there.LOL  

I had trouble seeing what you were referring to, I guess that's what happens when you get to be an OG.

Is this it (one screw bent-up, other laying in head)?

Red,
Looks like you or someone else has already been there done that.
Yes,
I had one screw that had worked its way out and was just sitting there on top of the cam keeper.

Camo, you are correct , there isn't any cash sitting in there abut there would have been some cash spent I am sure if it would has fallen down into the valves/springs.

Raz

Damn that engine's dirty.   Look at the build up of crap on the top of the head and how dark it is. Looks like very poor maintenance (oil and air filter not changed nearly enough).  There should be no build-up, and the top of the head should be a nice caramel color like in reddogs post.
On the screw issue.....I've seen a lot of engines (samurai and trackick) that have had missing screws.  Usually they will just fall out and fall down in one of the oil passages that lead back down to the oil pan and come out when the oil gets drained.  I don't recall ever hearing of a screw causing any damage to the head or valves.....but always better to catch it now, than risk damage later.

I thought it was kinda dirty . But heck, the previous owner said he changed the oil every 3,000 miles . Which he stated without me even asking so I usually know what that means. It means he is probably fibbing (kinda like some other things he said that wasn't true).
It does have 207,000 miles on it though and he bought it with 150,000 on it. So, I guess it could have been from the previous owner.
If I cross my fingers the oil leak should be fixed now as it was coming from somewhere on the top but I think it was a combination of the dist. o-ring and the valvecover gasket  . I replaced the valvecover gasket and both the big distributor gearbox o-ring and the o-ring on the dist. shaft . Both were very brittle and broke in two when I tried to remove them.
Raz

I thought it was kinda dirty . But heck, the previous owner said he changed the oil every 3,000 miles . Which he stated without me even asking so I usually know what that means. It means he is probably fibbing (kinda like some other things he said that wasn't true).
It does have 207,000 miles on it though and he bought it with 150,000 on it. So, I guess it could have been from the previous owner.
If I cross my fingers the oil leak should be fixed now as it was coming from somewhere on the top but I think it was a combination of the dist. o-ring and the valvecover gasket  . I replaced the valvecover gasket and both the big distributor gearbox o-ring and the o-ring on the dist. shaft . Both were very brittle and broke in two when I tried to remove them.
Raz

The valve cover gasket is notorious for leaking.  More so than the disty orings, IMO.  If the valve cover gasket still leaks, you can get a geo metro valve cover (they are made from aluminum and have a rubber seal).

What year of metros ? 3 or 4 cylinder ? I torqued down the valve cover to 44 in.lbs. like the factory manual says so hopefully it doesn't leak.
Raz
 

One of my screws was beat-up be the valve springs. I had to to a lot of work with a file, to reuse the screw. I posted my photo on another Forum, and was told it was very common. One fella said he replaced the Phillips screw with Allen head screws. They also use Loctite.


Wayne

What year of metros ? 3 or 4 cylinder ? I torqued down the valve cover to 44 in.lbs. like the factory manual says so hopefully it doesn't leak.
Raz
 

I think a 1996, 4 cyl.

felpro gasket
AutoZone part#
valve cover gasket #VS50375R $9.99
oil cap #8101 $7.99
PCV Valve # PCV1196

Your four valve cover bolts are the same, as are their washer/rubber seals. The Felpro valve cover gasket includes new washer/rubber seals.

I have one, but waiting for warmer weather to install it.


Wayne

What year of metros ? 3 or 4 cylinder ? I torqued down the valve cover to 44 in.lbs. like the factory manual says so hopefully it doesn't leak.
Raz
 

The 1.3, 4 cylinder valve cover is the one you want.  I think 96 was the first year for the 1.3s in the metros.
The 3 cylinder, 1.0 valve covers aren't even close.

One fella said he replaced the Phillips screw with Allen head screws. They also use Loctite.

I have heard you are not supposed to use lock tite on them....supposedly the lock tite can get into the oil passages and clog them, thereby restricting the oil flow (not good).  That being said, I use lock tite on mine.  I use the "gel" kind and don't goop it on.....so far, so good.  You are also supposed to "stake" the screws, once you get them tightened up, and that should keep them from backing out.

I have heard you are not supposed to use lock tite on them....supposedly the lock tite can get into the oil passages and clog them, thereby restricting the oil flow (not good).  That being said, I use lock tite on mine.  I use the "gel" kind and don't goop it on.....so far, so good.  You are also supposed to "stake" the screws, once you get them tightened up, and that should keep them from backing out.

Like many things, Loctite can be over done. I did not loctite mine, but will next time, and will use the blue, with Allen head screws. For this application, I will not stake mine, although I understand many guys do.

I seriously doubt is the Loctite would restrict the oil flow, even if you squirted it into the crankcase. I do not think it would harden, but it might.


Wayne

Later Zuks (1996 on?) have these screws staked at the factory.