Edit: I am rewriting my post too, after confirming that it is valid to post this here.
I was wondering if there is general information I could really need owing a fiero, hopefully as a forever car.
*Repairs, regular maintenance (unique for a fiero), stock modifications made found on fieros.
I was looking for general information but I have a specific question along with any general information. Does keeping your lights halfway or less popped up than stock cause excessive wear and tear on the motor and connection? I was shown you can pop the headlights up half way after fully extending them by tapping your parking light button to make it stay in it's place after dropping the light to be "off".
Answered; it does damage but isn't noticeable. ------------------ Finn craigg
[This message has been edited by F Craigg (edited 10-24-2023).]
I was wondering if there is general information I could really need owing a fiero, hopefully as a forever car.
*Repairs, regular maintenance (unique for a fiero), stock modifications found on fieros, ect.
Any advice beyond a different car...
Finn, you're asking an awfully wide-ranging question. I suspect your dad would be the first to agree with this... learn to effectively use the Search function here. Not only is the choice of words/terms critical to running a search, but so are the choices made in the two other parameter boxes. There is 24 years worth of Fiero information at your fingertips.
This doesn't mean that no one is welcome to ask questions in the forum, not at all... but there needs to be some effort put into doing one's own research.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 10-08-2023).]
Finn, you're asking an awfully wide-ranging question. I suspect your dad would be the first to agree with this... learn to effectively use the Search function here. Not only is the choice of words/terms critical to running a search, but so are the choices made in the two other parameter boxes. There is 24 years worth of Fiero information at your fingertips.
This doesn't mean that no one is welcome to ask questions in the forum, not at all... but there needs to be some effort put into doing one's own research.
Thank you, I will try my best to learn more from this forum. Sorry that I'm inexperienced with this community, but I have edited my post.
1. what year of car? because two different versions of HL motors. Even that's assuming early cars hasn't been upgraded to Gen2 system.
------------------ 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)
Actually, I think the original question was just fine as I understood it as him just wanting general tips on what to look out for when owning a Fiero. There's is so much information on the forum, it can be quite overwhelming. That said, here are my tips. I'm sure others will chime in.
Remember this car is at least 35 years old so most parts are of that age. So if all of a sudden you hear strange noises, or smell something weird, or the car just "feels different", never ignore it. It usually means something has failed or is about to fail. Try to find out where it originates from.
Related to #1, check the fluid levels regularly. Coolant, oil, brake, transmission. Again, this car is at least 35 years old and chances are it still has the original gaskets here and there.
There are a few parts you want to drive around with as spare. These are parts that can suddenly fail causing you to be stranded, but are easy to replace road side. Like for instance an ICM (Ignition Control Module). Don't leave home without a spare in your car.
Engage the E-brake every now and then. There are multiple reasons for doing this. One of them is to prevent the E-brake cable from getting stuck causing the e-brake to no longer work.
Don't ever, I repeat, don't ever work under your car without good quality jack stands. Don't. Really, just don't. Even if you need to quickly look under the car, don't jack it up alone. The Fiero weighs 2,500+ pounds and its ground clearance is less than the width of your head so I guess you understand where I'm going with this.
Actually, I think the original question was just fine as I understood it as him just wanting general tips on what to look out for when owning a Fiero. There's is so much information on the forum, it can be quite overwhelming. That said, here are my tips. I'm sure others will chime in.
Remember this car is at least 35 years old so most parts are of that age. So if all of a sudden you hear strange noises, or smell something weird, or the car just "feels different", never ignore it. It usually means something has failed or is about to fail. Try to find out where it originates from.
Related to #1, check the fluid levels regularly. Coolant, oil, brake, transmission. Again, this car is at least 35 years old and chances are it still has the original gaskets here and there.
There are a few parts you want to drive around with as spare. These are parts that can suddenly fail causing you to be stranded, but are easy to replace road side. Like for instance an ICM (Ignition Control Module). Don't leave home without a spare in your car.
Engage the E-brake every now and then. There are multiple reasons for doing this. One of them is to prevent the E-brake cable from getting stuck causing the e-brake to no longer work.
Don't ever, I repeat, don't ever work under your car without good quality jack stands. Don't. Really, just don't. Even if you need to quickly look under the car, don't jack it up alone. The Fiero weighs 2,500+ pounds and its ground clearance is less than the width of your head so I guess you understand where I'm going with this.
Those are just 5 tips from the top of my head.
Thank you, I felt a little self conscious but it makes me feel better knowing these simple tips for a old & pretty fiero. Thanks for telling me a simple descriptive answers for things to keep an eye out for. I'll probably update the post again because others should have any/all they can for research.
Cliff pretty much covered it. But I will take a moment to repeat the jack-stand thing. We had a very sad post, a year or so ago, with someone's wife logging in and telling us that her husband had been killed under his recently-purchased Fiero, in their driveway. A few seconds of paying attention can save a lifetime of heartache for your family or yourself.
Use the proper tools. Especially safety-related equipment. Cheaper is not always better. (But it can be. YouTube offers great tool comparisons, as well as "how to" videos.) A few years ago I bought an A-frame and hoist, for several hundred dollars, to perform maintenance on/under my car. My justification for the expenditure was that it was still cheaper than even the co-pay for a trip to the ER. Oh... and I still use jack stands.
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 10-10-2023).]
To add to Cliff’s list: #6 When you’re down to a 1/3 tank, be actively looking for a gas station. #7 Make sure your dogbone is in good shape. # Long trip in a Fiero? Try to “buddy up” with another car if you can. Kit
I've been thinking about this.. The advice you're getting, such as carrying spare parts, teaming up with another car on long journeys, and maintaining regular checks, might give the impression that the Fiero is an unreliable car. However, let's face it. Not many cars that are over 35 years old are still in use as a daily driver. In fact, I rarely see cars of that age on the road at all. I've owned my fair share of "older" cars, and none have weathered the test of time as well as the Fiero, and I'm not just referring to its appearance. I'm primarily talking about its reliability. I'm genuinely amazed at how sturdy the engine is, for instance. Just a few weeks ago (and a few months before that), my Fiero lost all its coolant. After replacing the faulty parts (the radiator the first time, and the heater core the second time), my Fiero ran as if nothing had ever gone wrong. Two years ago, I had a Vauxhall (Opel) with a similar issue. It lost some of its coolant (not all), and it immediately led to catastrophic engine damage.
What I'm trying to convey is that the Fiero is remarkably forgiving. Nonetheless, this shouldn't serve as an excuse to neglect addressing any issues you come across.
I planned to keep my original Fiero when I ordered it the first day Canadian orders were being accepted in Sep 1983. The results so far of fixing or replacing stuff when it breaks are shown below (also here: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/.../HTML/077736-34.html - your results may vary.
I have two high-mileage vehicles to date: 1992 Honda 1.6L VTEC with 256,000 miles 1998 Ford 3.0L V6 with 231,000 miles
Both start and run without problems nor consuming engine oil and passing smog every time….
IMHO - My 'Tips' Are: Follow the Routine Preventive Maintenance Service / Repair Unworking Items Quickly Use a Fuel Stabilizer At ALL Times Keep Your Vehicles Clean and Look For Leaks or Problems (see Service / Repair)
------------------ Original Owner of a Silver '88 GT Under 'Production Refurbishment' @ 136k Miles
[This message has been edited by Vintage-Nut (edited 10-17-2023).]
Actually, I think the original question was just fine as I understood it as him just wanting general tips on what to look out for when owning a Fiero. There's is so much information on the forum, it can be quite overwhelming. That said, here are my tips. I'm sure others will chime in. ... Don't ever, I repeat, don't ever work under your car without good quality jack stands. Don't. Really, just don't. Even if you need to quickly look under the car, don't jack it up alone. The Fiero weighs 2,500+ pounds and its ground clearance is less than the width of your head so I guess you understand where I'm going with this. [/list] ...
Haha, I have changed my oil and filter without jacking my Fiero up at all, numerous times, just slid under the drivers door, get my arm and head where the cat is, take the filter out! I'm 6' tall, but very skinny!
Always have a buddy go under the car first....(I don't have any buddies anymore...)
Also- buy a French dictionary and 10-lb sledge hammer- great tools for keeping your Fiero running good (No-you don't hit the car with the sledge hammer- you put it next to the car- it's called "Intimidation")
[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 10-18-2023).]
Geesh... My local auto parts store wanted me to pay a shipping fee for a special order brake master cylinder, and they couldn't tell me how long it would take to get here.
Geesh... My local auto parts store wanted me to pay a shipping fee for a special order brake master cylinder, and they couldn't tell me how long it would take to get here.
They're probably ordering it from RockAuto and are worried that if you get it "somewhere else" in the meantime - they'll be stuck with it.
I ordered the MC on amazon and was here is 3 days. The weather has turned cold and wet. I'm going to have Finn bench bleed it and then possibly replace it in stages.
I'm sure we have all done this dance. Go outside for 15 minutes, come back in for 30 to warm up. and repeat.
