What caused Pontiac Fieros to catch fire? (Page 1/3)
blackrams SEP 23, 01:48 PM
What Caused Pontiac Fieros To Catch Fire?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/a...f97dee3b732bb2&ei=48

Hardcore Pontiac Fiero fans eagerly slot the little rear-wheel-drive two-seater among the most iconic sports cars Pontiac ever made. While the Fiero can't compete with other famous Pontiac muscle cars like the GTO Judge or Firebird Trans Am, its mid-engine design was inarguably forward-thinking among American automakers.

The Fiero's design was cutting-edge enough that for a time Pontiac dealerships sold versions whose third-party body kit looked like the Ferrari 308. The resemblance was close enough to prompt the Italian automaker to sue Pontiac, bringing the project to a halt. However, other aftermarket body kits remained available to transform the Fiero into Ferrari, Lamborghini, and other exotic car look-alikes.
The first Pontiac Fiero, launched in 1984, was the model with the most fire-related issues, as subsequent models largely addressed the inaugural year's shortcomings. In all, only around 300 (one in 400) 1984 Fieros actually caught fire due to its design shortcomings.

The fire issue was mostly due to limited engine-bay space. First, there was the decision to use a small 3-quart oil pan that consistently starved the engine for oil, causing it to run hot. Add in a batch of bad piston connecting rods that could knock a hole in the engine upon failure, releasing hot oil onto hot components waiting to ignite. If the Fiero's engine oil didn't catch fire there was also a chance that an electrical wiring harness could contact the exhaust manifold in the limited space and cause an electrical fire.

Should You Avoid A Pre-Owned Pontiac Fiero?

If you're looking for an American-made mid-engine two-seater sports car with limited horsepower (it's no Corvette), the Pontiac Fiero is a great budget-friendly option. As mentioned, available body kits allow the Fiero to be practically anything you can imagine. And while Fieros from 1985 to the end of production in 1988 were far less likely to catch fire, even 1984 models still around should have been corrected under recall.

A top-of-the-line 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT carried a manufacturer's suggested retail price around $14,000 when new. Nicer pre-owned Fieros are worth surprisingly more today.

The Fiero GT appeared in 1985, and about halfway through the 1986 model year, a new version arrived with fastback styling. Over the course of its short production run, Fiero trims also included Base, Sport, SE, Indy, and Mera editions. Engine offerings ranged from a 92-horsepower inline four-cylinder with 134 pound-feet of torque to a 2.8-liter V6 with 140 horsepower and 160 pound-feet of torque, introduced in 1985. Transmission options included a three-speed automatic, or four- or five-speed manual transmissions.

Nothing new I hadn't heard or read before, just thought it was interesting.[b][/b]


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Rams
Learning most of life's lessons the hard way. .
You are only young once but, you can be immature indefinitely.

williegoat SEP 23, 02:39 PM
And all this time I thought it was forum flame wars.
Dennis LaGrua SEP 23, 07:16 PM
This is old news and affected the 1984 model year. In short some Duke engines had defective connecting rods that punctured the block and spilled oil on the hot catalytic converter. Fire problems with later year Fieros were few but this was enough to damage the brand.

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blackrams SEP 23, 08:27 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

This is old news and affected the 1984 model year. In short some Duke engines had defective connecting rods that punctured the block and spilled oil on the hot catalytic converter. Fire problems with later year Fieros were few but this was enough to damage the brand.




Fully understood and I agree but, I still enjoyed reading it.

Rams
hyperv6 SEP 23, 08:54 PM
Actually the bad rods and pans were the scape goat. Yes they had bad rods but most never broke through the block.

The truth is this. Mid engine cars gave hot engine bays. The real issue was the Iton Uke engine leaked oil ftom the valve cover. They were just stuck on with RTV that began to leak oil . These engines leaked in everything ftom aso trucks to Citations.

Note Pontiac box this soon after with the tech 4 engine that was a better sealed Iron Duke.

The oil leaked ftom the cover it went fine to the exhsust manifold snd then ignite. Fires like this are common to many cars but in the Fiero’s case it had a fiber molded deck lid that fueled the fire to the rest of the body.

Oil fires like this are common to many mid engines as there is little air flow vs front engine vehicles. But this cars are less common. The Fiero always made the news.

There are often more than one story about things on the Fiero. The common knowledge version then the truth. We really need a book to document thus car with the truth. GM lied and covered much of the truth that led to many things not fully true.

This engine was in many cars and while there were rod isdues mist sun a bearing long before it would throw the rod. GM could not let that get out. 0

[This message has been edited by hyperv6 (edited 09-23-2024).]

blackrams SEP 23, 09:08 PM
Really can't say much more and don't know much else. What I found interesting is, that article is not an old article, very recent and someone actually took the time and effort to talk about those beloved cars.

Rams

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 09-23-2024).]

Patrick SEP 23, 11:23 PM

quote
Originally posted by hyperv6:

The oil leaked ftom the cover it went fine to the exhsust manifold snd then ignite. Fires like this are common to many cars but in the Fiero’s case it had a fiber molded deck lid that fueled the fire to the rest of the body.



Let's not forget the magnesium grill that the '84 had on its decklid. Once that baby ignited... stand back!


cvxjet SEP 24, 01:17 AM
One problem with the "Fiero Fire Legend" was that the media ran with the story and blew it out of proportion; They were listing the total number that had caught fire as percentage of the number sold in one week....So, "50% of Fieros are catching fire!!!!!!"

Only 260 out of 130,000 the first year caught fire- for a variety of reasons. The basic fact is that the Fiero has >>>>>A Better than Average Fire-Safety Record<<<<<<

Believe it or not, the Ford Pinto- a Known fire-bomb- also has a better-than-average fire-safety record.

Here in the SF Bay Area, I have caught hell from numerous I-Di-ots who state "You must have the only Fiero that hasn't caught fire!"
hyperv6 SEP 24, 06:24 AM
Look a Fiero burned it was on CNN.

A Canary burned no one will do a story as only the engine compartment burned.

They also will publish a Ferrari burning because one it is expensive and they normally totally burn. But one burned every two years since so few are made.

As for someone taking the time to write a story. Most are plagiarized story’s from years ago just pushed as click bait. The story here has been done 100 times in the last 25 plus years.

The stories you need to look for are about the new interest in our cars and an image that has recovered. This is increasing values and bringing in collectors.

Look I bought mine new. I was a celebrity. Then the bad reports I became the idiot that bought the Fiero. Todsy it is getting back to very increased interest on a positive side. I was at an Exotic car event and my car and my buddies drew more attention than all the McLarens there.

Things have been changing much. So many say I had one, I wanted one, I knew some one who ad one and I loved it. Little kids want yo sit in it to get a photo.

These are the stories as well the ones on increased values we need to look for. The rest is old often inaccurate news.

We want the car to be remembered for the right reasons and accurate reasons not for the lies. GM did the no good with no defense of many things and lies about other things.

[This message has been edited by hyperv6 (edited 09-24-2024).]

blackrams SEP 24, 07:26 AM

quote
Originally posted by hyperv6:

As for someone taking the time to write a story. Most are plagiarized story’s from years ago just pushed as click bait. The story here has been done 100 times in the last 25 plus years.

The stories you need to look for are about the new interest in our cars and an image that has recovered. This is increasing values and bringing in collectors.

Look I bought mine new. I was a celebrity.




Click Bait? OK......................... Everyone's got an opinion, I'm just happy someone remembered our little cars. They made a great impression on me, Hell, I've owned 22 of those little buggers and did just about every engine swap done. All of mine but one were 88s. All were notch backs. Was a bit sad to see the last one go to another person but, it was time to move on.

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Rams
Learning most of life's lessons the hard way. .
You are only young once but, you can be immature indefinitely.