Engine Fires (Page 1/2)
dizzie JUN 14, 10:21 AM
With the unfortunate stigma of our beloved car's past, it's a bit harrowing to see these burned auction cars that likely caught fire more recently. But who knows what the owners did and didn't do with modifications and maintenance that may have led to these? One has an obvious engine swap that looks quite hefty.

Even so, a fire can happen with any vehicle make or model. I once saw an entire van burning away to the frame at an intersection. The cover of the "Woodstock" album by Portugal. The Man reminded me of it.

I'll post a couple of the most pertinent photos, but more are available at these auction links:

- burned 85 GT

- burned 88 coupe
armos JUN 14, 06:05 PM
I'm not sure why the engine bay of a Fiero would be any more prone to fire than any other car, other than the catalytic converter being within splash range of the oil pan if somebody throws a connecting rod through it.
Most people ignorant enough about cars to let an engine reach that point are the type who buy new cars, so they had their episode decades ago.

But that wave of natural selection and the recall to shield the cat, happened not long before the car was canceled. So people connected the two thinking one caused the other, and it's been stuck in people's memory of the car ever since.

I really don't think a Fiero today is any more fire prone than any other old car. Primary concerns would be fuel leaks and accumulated dry leaves in the front duct area, and any old car can have those.
theogre JUN 16, 04:16 PM
What's funny, not, is sheeple still think Fiero Pinto Corvair is dangerous...
1. Never bother to read real facts as to why had Recalls etc.
2. Never bother to read just current models Recalls by NHTSA.gov that have way more vehicle fires & even when completely ignore all EV & Hybrids.
3. Still Think work done for NHTSA Recalls = vehicle is "fixed." In Most Recalls by NHTSA allowed Bare Minimum of work & parts to "fix" a problem & even blaming the drivers for many of them too.

Recalls for Fiero see https://web.archive.org/web...fierocave/recall.htm
Pinto Fires/Explosions isn't just the lack of a plastic "shield" but 71 & 72 had Gas Tank As The Floor of the Trunk/Hatch. And that "trick" was done on Other Ford Models like 72 & older Maverick.

Example: Fiero Brake Recall should have applied to All cars but:
● Only to stick cars.
● Blame owners for not using the Parking Brake all the time while Ignoring FMVSS 571.105 that states the brake systems Does Not require Driver do to that.
● "Recall Kit" w/ new pistons just tried to delay problems not really fixing the car because of huge cost to redesign the rear brakes.

Example 2: Kia Recall to "fix" crap GDI Engines just Reprogram the PCM to use knock sensor to hide the real problem & allow Kia to still Void Warranty when the engine Fails for many reasons like Almost anyone that bought used Kia has Warranty Denied for no records of oil changes etc from first owner even if that they have records. Many simply lost receipts from shops or does DIY oil changes get oil & parts on sale before 1 to several charges. Even if you try to keep all records, receipts fade too for several reasons often in minutes to days.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

Mike in Sydney JUN 16, 07:23 PM

quote
Originally posted by dizzie:

With the unfortunate stigma of our beloved car's past, it's a bit harrowing to see these burned auction cars that likely caught fire more recently. But who knows what the owners did and didn't do with modifications and maintenance that may have led to these? One has an obvious engine swap that looks quite hefty.

Even so, a fire can happen with any vehicle make or model. I once saw an entire van burning away to the frame at an intersection. The cover of the "Woodstock" album by Portugal. The Man reminded me of it.

I'll post a couple of the most pertinent photos, but more are available at these auction links:

- burned 85 GT

- burned 88 coupe




Yikes. Look at the estimated retail value for these cars. $11542 USD and $6988 USD. Where did that come from? I doubt they would be worth that even if they weren't wrecks.
theogre JUN 16, 09:19 PM

quote
Originally posted by Mike in Sydney:
Yikes. Look at the estimated retail value for these cars. $11542 USD and $6988 USD. Where did that come from? I doubt they would be worth that even if they weren't wrecks.

There Fake "Book values" sim to all listed in Kelly Blue Book (KBB) & NADA book available online to the public in U.S. Both are owned by Companies that love to jack up prices for Used Vehicles Dealers.

These are "Totals" now owned by Car Insurance Co's trying to recover the cost of the Write Off. Doubtful they paid anywhere near that about to settle the claim.

Many auctions for "Totaled" vehicles are not for the Public to see let alone bid. Or Public may see but can't bid.
Sim to where some have "Junk yards" near them for Decades but not open to the Public & doesn't sell parts because dealing w/ Insurance "Totals."

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 06-16-2024).]

dizzie JUN 17, 09:56 AM

quote
Originally posted by armos:

...

I really don't think a Fiero today is any more fire prone than any other old car. Primary concerns would be fuel leaks and accumulated dry leaves in the front duct area, and any old car can have those.



I've recently looked at two ungaraged fieros that had been sitting outside for a number of years. Both had a lot of accumulated dry leaves under the hoods, as well as tall grass growing up into them - definitely something to be removed prior to driving them again.


quote
Originally posted by theogre:

...
● Blame owners for not using the Parking Brake all the time while Ignoring FMVSS 571.105 that states the brake systems Does Not require Driver do to that.
● "Recall Kit" w/ new pistons just tried to delay problems not really fixing the car because of huge cost to redesign the rear brakes.
...




I kind of wonder why this never became a class action lawsuit - seems like a cover-up of sorts. The brake piston problem sounds like a bit of a nightmare. I always use the e-brake, so that's not an issue. However it sounds like Fiero owners are currently doomed to have brake problems. Is there an alternative solution that doesn't involve the original brake design and doesn't require a reworking of the brake hubs/ bolts?


quote
Originally posted by theogre:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mike in Sydney:
Yikes. Look at the estimated retail value for these cars. $11542 USD and $6988 USD. Where did that come from?

...

These are "Totals" now owned by Car Insurance Co's trying to recover the cost of the Write Off. Doubtful they paid anywhere near that about to settle the claim.

...




When a car of mine was totaled a couple of years ago, I was pleasantly surprised at the insurance value that was paid. It exceeded both KBB and NADA, and seemed to be a better reflection of the current car market based on current used sales. Just my experience.
theogre JUN 17, 04:26 PM

quote
Originally posted by dizzie:
I kind of wonder why this never became a class action lawsuit - seems like a cover-up of sorts. The brake piston problem sounds like a bit of a nightmare. I always use the e-brake, so that's not an issue. However it sounds like Fiero owners are currently doomed to have brake problems. Is there an alternative solution that doesn't involve the original brake design and doesn't require a reworking of the brake hubs/ bolts?

Very likely would have CA Suit now. Nearly all Recalls now have that like Kia/Hyundai GDI engines to Fluid master pressure flush toilets...

Isn't just Fiero w/ same piston design & Even if they resign to fit other sets then re-cert the car to meet FMVSS, does help because most to all 4 wheel disk brake cars had similar problems because of P-brake function built into them. "Puck" P-brakes that some "upgrades" use likely won't meet FMVSS even if sold by Wilwood et al. Those barely Pass State Rules must have P-brake/E-brake. Is Why GM only modify the pistons to move vent hole, "Black oxide" anti rust, & other minor charges.

GM et al can't change many parts in big ways not just brake parts w/o have the vehicle that meet FMVSS & relative rules in other countries. Say you have Trim Level w/ different Head Light as many have w/ Halogen & HID sets for decades now... Just those light sets must be tested to meet FMVSS 108 & more for Canada EU etc. often means More that 2 Sets that most public ever know. So you get DOT sets, ECE sets for EU, etc. Each set Cost development, making them, testing them, etc. often from Square One every time.

This is Why many vehicles now have Disk Drum "Rotors" on rear so Disk for Service/Main Brake & small Drum in center of P-brake. & why many have 16" or Bigger rims to fit that.
Some Trucks have P-brake on Drive Shaft either on Trans Side or Axle Side. Late 80's Ford F450 & many others use that.
Both simplifies the Rear caliper for same job as Front caliper, just being a glorified Clamp.
theogre JUN 17, 04:48 PM

quote
Originally posted by dizzie:
When a car of mine was totaled a couple of years ago, I was pleasantly surprised at the insurance value that was paid. It exceeded both KBB and NADA, and seemed to be a better reflection of the current car market based on current used sales. Just my experience.

That may happen to some to many newer models... Just My Fiero have been hit twice, other driver insurance paid very little or want to "total" still paying bare minimum. For old cars, old means > 10 - 15 for most models, they often want to Total because hard to get parts etc or pay "Pennies" for "Appearance Claim."

Last time paid $500 after fighting $250 because front fender was cracked etc. Told me replacement Fender is < $100 but ignore you can't find that part then install, & paint affective panels for that. You often can't even get fix for minor dents, scratches, etc @ most shops for $500.
If you take a car to shop to "Estimate" a job then if doesn't Total it, have to wait weeks or more for them to fix it. Even if they pay Rental, have that is a big pain too.
dizzie JUN 17, 05:56 PM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

Very likely would have CA Suit now...



Yeah, seems like GM got out of that one easy back in the day.


quote
This is Why many vehicles now have Disk Drum "Rotors" on rear so Disk for Service/Main Brake & small Drum in center of P-brake....

Both simplifies the Rear caliper for same job as Front caliper, just being a glorified Clamp.



Curious, do you make any alterations to your Fiero's breaks, or just put up with having them fail due to the design flaw? There might not be much of a choice I suppose.


quote
That may happen to some to many newer models... Just My Fiero have been hit twice, other driver insurance paid very little or want to "total" still paying bare minimum. For old cars, old means > 10 - 15 for most models, they often want to Total because hard to get parts etc or pay "Pennies" for "Appearance Claim."



I guess I got lucky - I'm pretty sure I got about $5K for my '03 Honda Pilot from Nationwide. Then again, we had recently had the transmission rebuilt and they took that into account. Sounds like you were dealing with a really crappy claims department!
hyperv6 JUN 17, 09:08 PM
The truth is this.

#1 Mid engine cars have higher engine compartment temps.

#2 iron Duke 4 cylinders all leak oil out the valve cover. If let go it can and will catch fire.

#3 if a fiero engine catches fire the flames go up and what do you have but a plastic deck lid that burns in dramatic fashion.

Fiero did not burn more than anything else but due to the body once started the fire will spread fast.

Much is due to lack of repair if oil is leaking and not fixed it will catch. Aldo many mods can creat a fire hazard or change what cooling there was from under the car.