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]
------------------ Rams Learning most of life's lessons the hard way. . You are only young once but, you can be immature indefinitely.
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.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
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.
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).]
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).]
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!
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!"
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).]
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.
------------------ Rams Learning most of life's lessons the hard way. . You are only young once but, you can be immature indefinitely.
You never hear about all the 6000s and Celebrities etc., that also were powered by the "R" code Iron Duke, catching fire.
It occurs to me that if a rod went out the front of the block in one of those, most of the oil just went all over the radiator and the ground. Messed up your day, to be sure, but no flambe'. If it went out the front of the block in a Fiero, the oil headed straight for the catalytic converter.
You've been hinting at that book for years. How close to publication are you?
Randomly saw this in another post Here and thought of this thread.
quote
Originally posted by hyperv6:
There is a handful off us [Fred] here that really need to get together and put together a good book on this car. Too much information I am affraid will be lost and too much internet myths will take their place.
You've been hinting at that book for years. How close to publication are you?
I have been trying to get Fred involved as between the two of us we can provide a very accurate and well documented story.
But to this point he has shown little interest. I have offered to do the writing and just have him offer Info and approve of what is written.
God forbid anything happen to us and a few others that hold info it may be lost. We are not getting younger.
This would not be a profit deal as books pay poorly. But it could be self published. It would be ordered on Amazon and printed the day it is ordered. That way no one has to put up any money for a printing and then try yo sell them to break even.
If we started I expect it might take a year or less.
You never hear about all the 6000s and Celebrities etc., that also were powered by the "R" code Iron Duke, catching fire.
It occurs to me that if a rod went out the front of the block in one of those, most of the oil just went all over the radiator and the ground. Messed up your day, to be sure, but no flambe'. If it went out the front of the block in a Fiero, the oil headed straight for the catalytic converter.
The truth is most broken rods never go through a block. They have to break near a piston to be long enough to go through a block. Also most have to be at high RPM.
If a rod spins a bearing and breaks it woul not be close to the block.
The temp under the Fieto deck lid is much more higher than a front engine car. This is why we had fans on Alternators and coils unlike other cars. That elevated temp is what set the oil off.
To this day having been involved with Fiero’s over 40 years I have never seen a rod through the block. I have seen a few broken rods and many spun bearings but never an iron Duke with a rod out the block that was not in a sprint car or IMSA car.
Every iron Duke leaked out the valve cover like the Titanic unless someone replaced the RTV with a Gasket. We made a lot of money doing this in the 80’s.
Now could a block had a Rod go through it and leak on a converter yes but it was not something we saw back then.
Also all rods were not bad just some of 84.
The 84 had very poor air flow in the rear compartment. Between that and the move yo the V6 they had to redo the air flow.
I had heard that the broken rods tended to cut thru the oil pan, which would (Sometimes) allow oil to contact the Cat.
In modern times, with the Fiero approaching 40 years of age, there are dangers from leaking gaskets, early headlight motors, and electrical wiring shorts....
I think I remember seeing a 2.8 or two with ventilated blocks. Not sure about Dukes. Never heard of a 6000 or Celebrity burning down, though. Ever.
I have seen. The V6 but they were modified modified engines. I did have one V6 on a fleet of Citations we serviced lose a rod but not the block or pan. It had less than 500 miles.
You will not likely see and front engine Iron Duke burn as the air coming through the grill and fans kept the engine compartments much cooler.
GM never needed fans on the coil or alt of a front engine Duke as temps were much much lower.
This is why you see Ferrari and Lamborghini fires as temps are much higher.
The flash point of oil is really high and mid engine compartments can ignite on the manifolds. The covers dripped down on the manifolds
Note GM fixed it after the issues. GM will never say what caused it in public. The lawsuits would eat that up.
Here's the oil capacity revision that came as a stick-on page for the owner's manual:
I understood at the time that the oil capacity was shown erroneously in the owner's manual as 3 quarts. Until the thread subject article (which I also saw online some weeks ago) I'd never heard of a 3 quart capacity oil pan. It seems unlikely that the Tech 4 would have a different oil pan for the Fiero from all the other vehicles using it. The spec was corrected to 4 quarts & a longer dipstick with a longer tube was installed to make the dipstick easier to use. I wonder how many failures resulted from people putting 3 quarts in and not checking the dipstick...
Here's the oil capacity revision that came as a stick-on page for the owner's manual:
I understood at the time that the oil capacity was shown erroneously in the owner's manual as 3 quarts. Until the thread subject article (which I also saw online some weeks ago) I'd never heard of a 3 quart capacity oil pan. It seems unlikely that the Tech 4 would have a different oil pan for the Fiero from all the other vehicles using it. The spec was corrected to 4 quarts & a longer dipstick with a longer tube was installed to make the dipstick easier to use. I wonder how many failures resulted from people putting 3 quarts in and not checking the dipstick...
If I remember correctly the original was shorter than the other cars since the Fiero sat lower. They added a larger filter to add more capacity. The dipstick I was just remarked to reflect the added oil.
They gave you a large metal plate gor the condole that said yo check oil every gas fill. I have one in English and a French Cansdian version of this.
The oil loss was due do tge the valve cover. Most cars cars would eat up a rod bearing and knock badly. I saw a number of these fail. Never saw a rod break but spun bearing many.
The Tech IV as it was renamed had more oil, a new filter set up and no oil leaks. The Filter came out of the pan with the drain plug that was large.
