Sadly, it might be time to say goodbye to my 88GT (Page 1/2)
tmach90 APR 14, 06:49 PM
First, let me say I've been lurking for years (and have learned a lot from everyone here, so thank you all!) but have rarely ever posted anything. In fact, I may never have posted before. Not sure. So it's strange that this is the first one... but today I learned I'll probably have to say goodbye to my 88GT.

The main reason for my post is to see what you guys think I should ask for it, if I have to sell. It seems everything I haven't already worked on or replaced has broken all at once. Here's the list:

The A/C has never worked (although previous owner did have it converted). I know the compressor is bad, don't know what else.
The water pump just started leaking
Coolant hoses are pretty old and really should be replaced, though I don't see any leaks there yet
Whilst under there looking for the coolant leak I noticed both rack and pinion boots are cracked and need replacing
And finally, the big one--it's leaking oil from the crank case and the rear main seal. It isn't a massively huge leak (I rarely need to add any) but it's only going to get worse.

The problem is, I'm not the most mechanically minded guy out there. The problems I would try to tackle myself I don't have time to do anymore, and I can't justify paying that much money for someone else to do the work. I really don't want to see it go to a junk yard or be parted out--just hoping someone who wants to take on the project and will actually enjoy the car will want to take it. Also, I'd like to get a little something out of it.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time. I'll attach more pics of the car when I get a chance to rinse it off (it spent the past couple of days outside, and the pollen is caked all over it right now.)
Spoon APR 14, 09:30 PM
Does it have a clutch or is it an automatic transmission? It would be a shame for it to go to the boneyard. Some years ago I was at a pic&pull yard and spotted a 86 SE loaded to the teeth and virtually untouched. I wanted a minor part off of it but didn't have the right tool to remove it without ripping things apart so I returned the next morning early, so I thought, and the car was literally picked to the bone. I asked one of the yard-birds what happen and he said 2 or 3 guys showed up together and within a few hours there was nothing left but a shell.

Long before I got involved in Fieros I saw a worse case than that. My friend & I scratched our heads for quite a while before we came to a consensus that it "must have been" a Fiero because the only clue left was the supporting structure for a center console and some of the remaining floor pan telling us it had once been a 2 seater vehicle. A sight we'll never forget so please don't let it end up as any of the above and keep in touch should you find a new home for it.

Spoon

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"Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut

Fierochic88 APR 15, 08:01 AM

quote
Originally posted by tmach90:

First, let me say I've been lurking for years (and have learned a lot from everyone here, so thank you all!) but have rarely ever posted anything. In fact, I may never have posted before. Not sure. So it's strange that this is the first one... but today I learned I'll probably have to say goodbye to my 88GT.

The main reason for my post is to see what you guys think I should ask for it, if I have to sell. It seems everything I haven't already worked on or replaced has broken all at once. Here's the list:

The A/C has never worked (although previous owner did have it converted). I know the compressor is bad, don't know what else.
The water pump just started leaking
Coolant hoses are pretty old and really should be replaced, though I don't see any leaks there yet
Whilst under there looking for the coolant leak I noticed both rack and pinion boots are cracked and need replacing
And finally, the big one--it's leaking oil from the crank case and the rear main seal. It isn't a massively huge leak (I rarely need to add any) but it's only going to get worse.

The problem is, I'm not the most mechanically minded guy out there. The problems I would try to tackle myself I don't have time to do anymore, and I can't justify paying that much money for someone else to do the work. I really don't want to see it go to a junk yard or be parted out--just hoping someone who wants to take on the project and will actually enjoy the car will want to take it. Also, I'd like to get a little something out of it.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time. I'll attach more pics of the car when I get a chance to rinse it off (it spent the past couple of days outside, and the pollen is caked all over it right now.)



I'd hate to see you junk it. We are out in Staunton and while we definitely don't need another major project, if you need a place for it to land keep me posted.

~ Jen
steve308 APR 15, 09:42 AM
Never saw a price?
tmach90 APR 15, 12:19 PM
Thanks all!

I didn't list any price because I was just trying to get some suggestions as to what it might be worth. I'm still trying to figure out a way to fix the problems or have them fixed. Some friends have offered help in this regard but the big issue continues to be the engine seals since that requires dropping the transmission and that's something only pro mechanics have offered to do -- for a hefty price, of course. I'll move it over to the Mall when it's time to actually try to sell, or now if you guys that's appropriate.

Also, since I left it out of the OP by mistake, she's a manual and shifts well. As with any old manual I've ever driven, it sometimes requires a little wiggling to get into certain gears (in this case, just 3rd) but it's a minor issue that only pops up occasionally. I got her about 10 years ago and she was originally white, but it was original paint and was in terrible shape, so I had it painted medium red. It's a 10-foot paint job, but way better than the original. She was in pretty good shape at the time other than that. Needed a lot of little things--parking brake didn't work, temp gauge didn't work, radiator fan would only come on sporadically, etc. Nothing that was too difficult to fix. Over time I had to replace the starter and had the fuel pump replaced and that's about it. Overall she's been very reliable for a 30 year old car! Currently has about 107k miles.

Jen, thanks for the offer and I'll certainly consider that.

You can probably tell I'm torn on this. If everything had decided to wear out a couple of years ago, I'd have just fixed what I could and had a trusted shop do the rest. Unfortunately, times are different now.
css9450 APR 15, 12:33 PM
Unless it's excessive, you might be able to ignore the leaking oil. Lots of Fieros (both 2.5 and V6) leak a little.

The water pump is a bigger issue but fortunately doesn't require that much work.
CoolBlue87GT APR 16, 09:20 AM

quote
Originally posted by css9450:
...The water pump is a bigger issue but fortunately doesn't require that much work.



Agreed, the water pump replacement is not that hard. Takes about three hours. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's about a 4.

I was able to replace from the top of engine. Some instruct you to remove the wheel & liner, didn't find that necessary.

Here's a link where I gained valuable information from members of our forum. My biggest hurdle was I wasn't sure I could do the job, but after talking with our experts, I was convinced I was up for the task.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/...100421-2-081914.html

If you have any fellow forum members nearby, you might find support locally where you can get help.

I once had a problem that I had no idea how to fix, had a freeze plug let go on the V6. Had a member joesfiero offer help, I trailered the car to his house, and joesfiero worked his tail off, was able to replace the freeze plug. I thank him many times over for his work.

tmach90, good luck to you.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 04-16-2021).]

tmach90 APR 16, 12:00 PM
Thanks again guys... that's exactly what I'm going to do. This weekend I'm making time for the water pump, and of course will change its belt at the same time. I should have some help if I need it. Also going to change out the oil pan gasket. I'll still take it to someone who knows what they're doing for the rack and pinion stuff, but that won't put me over the edge. If the leak from the engine seals stays small I'll try to ride it out until things have changed enough that it won't be a struggle. Who knows, maybe by then the clutch will also need changing and I can take care of both at once!
Raydar APR 17, 10:01 AM

quote
Originally posted by tmach90:

Thanks again guys... that's exactly what I'm going to do. This weekend I'm making time for the water pump, and of course will change its belt at the same time. I should have some help if I need it. Also going to change out the oil pan gasket. I'll still take it to someone who knows what they're doing for the rack and pinion stuff, but that won't put me over the edge. If the leak from the engine seals stays small I'll try to ride it out until things have changed enough that it won't be a struggle. Who knows, maybe by then the clutch will also need changing and I can take care of both at once!



The oil pan gasket may be more "fun" than you are anticipating. The front corners of the pan may not clear the bearing caps or crankshaft weights. You may have to support the engine from above, and remove the front mounting bracket, in order to gain enough room to drop the pan down where it will clear.

I'm sure that others may comment, if I've mis-spoken.
Good luck with your endeavor.

Edit - Have a good look at the base of the distributor, and see if there is any oil puddling on the top of the block, and running down. The distributor O-ring is notorious for leaking, and oil leaks down and can appear to be coming from... lots of other places.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 04-17-2021).]

Spoon APR 17, 06:02 PM
Like previously mentioned a common leak at the distributor will create a puddle and that will overflow and run down the back of motor and transmission. I used a kit to find mine some years ago. Also found other leaks that I didn't know about.

https://www.amazon.com/ACDe...azon-devices&sr=1-13

Spoon


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"Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut