Urban Legend??? (Page 2/3)
css9450 DEC 11, 01:14 PM

quote
Originally posted by branger:

...but a set of plug wires at $59 (reasonable price), soon becomes not reasonable when shipping is another $40... Can't imagine what other parts would cost fro shipping....
Thoughts???



That seems like an item that should be available locally. Checking the part numbers for Fiero V6 plug wires, I see the same part number is used on lots of GM cars from the 80s. That is true of a lot of Fiero parts. Ask at the parts store; even if they have to order it from their warehouse, at least you won't have to pay extra.
fierosound DEC 12, 09:31 AM

quote
Originally posted by branger:

2) Mechanics don't want to touch Fieros because they are hard to work on (according to three different local auto shops I phoned).



Urban myth from lazy mechanics. Every car is hard to work on when you don't know what you're doing.
Just because the engine is at the other end of the car they want to act like it's suddenly "a big job".

The biggest job to do is change the clutch.
But even that is exactly the same process as any FWD of same vintage like a Cavalier.
Everything else like tuneups, oil changes is exactly the same too - so can they NOT do those jobs either?


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[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 12-12-2018).]

Blacktree DEC 12, 11:33 AM
Some mechanics are afraid of Fieros, because they're different from what the mechanic is used to. But they aren't any more challenging than a FWD car. After owning a German car for several years, I've come to appreciate how simple and straightforward the Fiero is.
branger DEC 12, 02:22 PM
If mechanics want business, can't understand why they'd shy away from the Fiero. My first Fiero, about 10 years ago, needed a new clutch, and I lived in Northern British Columbia... when I say North, I mean NORTH... anyway local mechanic, replaced clutch no problem (had to drop engine, but didn't ***** and moan about it either). I think it might have cost $900-$1000, can't remember now... But now that I live in civilization, southern BC, Im scratching my head to find a mechanic,,, bizarre. I'm so glad to hear that they are fixable and you don't have to be a mechanic!
branger DEC 12, 04:18 PM
Thanks for feedback, gonna get it up on a hoist on Friday to see where that pesky coolant leak is coming from...
Reallybig DEC 12, 06:27 PM
Is there still a fiero club in BC? Call them up and join the fun. I've gotten many great deals on parts from members and the occasional helping hand. LOTS of advice too. Just dont be afraid to return the favor in terms of basic labour... you will learn a bunch about the car and have a great time too!
fierofool DEC 12, 08:29 PM
To answer your question about the metal sleeves on the spark plug wires. Those shield the spark plug boots from the heat of the nearby exhaust manifold. They have a bonus use, too. Because the boots tend to stick to the spark plugs after a period of time, trying to remove the the plug wires can result in the boot breaking in half, leaving part of it on the plug. It becomes very difficult to get that section of boot off the front plugs.

Grasp the metal sleeve and give it a twist in both directions. It exerts force evenly across the length of the spark plug boot and breaks it loose from the spark plug. Then you can use it to pull the boot off the plug. If you only have 3, I recommend putting them on the front bank of plugs. When reinstalling the boots or when installing new wires, put a liberal amount of dielectric grease inside the boot then slide it onto the plug. This prevents water from getting inside and also acts as a release agent to reduce the likelihood of the boot sticking to the plug.
branger DEC 12, 11:45 PM
Thanks Fierofool! Will do!
cmechmann DEC 13, 07:53 PM
If all I had to work on would be Fieros, I would be happy with that. Compared to the crap I have to work on now.
First there is a difference between a mechanic and a technician. A mechanic doesn't mind getting his hands dirty/stained. I may be designated an Automotive technician, but damn it, I'm a mechanic.
I have been wrenching for a living for the most part since 1980. When the Fieros first came out, I was a little depressed when seeing them due to the hype that GM had gave before they came out. Being what the Chevettes were and what the X bodies were. It was supposed to be this all over new engineering. If the first ones were as the 88s, I would have been very impressed. Then much of the Chevette front suspension lived on in many foreign stuff. The Chevette continued in Australia. The Impulse and near clone lived on. The X body went to live on in the A bodies and finally died in 1996. Can't count the number of cabs I have seen based on the A body, that refused to die. So I became impressed again with the longevity of the suspensions and the drive line in Fieros. If it fit in an A body, it will work in a Fiero without much headache.
A Fiero is a piece of cake to work on compared to, lets say( Dohc 3.4 Lumina) and that's old school. Just try to do a set of plugs on a late model car without taking the intake off. The wiring harnesses are being made with much smaller gauge wire. Had a 2015 Accord that the entire interior harness had to be replaced because the floor had got wet and the small gauge wiring didn't last 36 hours before the carpet had been pulled up. The Air bag wiring to the seats was effected. Chrysler 3.6, under intake oil cooler assemblies having to be replaced because they fall apart or leak badly. And by the way, the new OEM part has an expiration date on them. Ford 4.6 blowing spark plug threads out or 5.4 plug breaking off. Ford 2.0 or 2.5 with a fiction washer on the lower timing gear instead of a key way on the crankshaft. Keep that in mind if you recommend a crankshaft seal. Early Northstar cars that had to have the entire subframe dropped to do an alternator before they rectified that about 2 years after they came out. Don't get me started on their oil leaks. The list is endless. And is getting worse.
Drive line and suspension parts are easy to get for Fieros. Much of those parts are used in LLV vehicles (long life vehicles) that were used by government and fleets. So the after market support was huge. Of course single year (88) , body, brake,and interior parts are getting harder to find.

[This message has been edited by cmechmann (edited 12-13-2018).]

branger DEC 13, 08:08 PM
Good to know, cmechmann... Im keeping my Fiero! BTW, I don't know why but I just love the notch back style WAY better than the GT style. Im sure its just me, but the notchback just seems way more sporty looking (opened a can of worms there, I'm sure)!