I have gotten everything working with my fiero now, except for a few issues that I've left up until this point as I was too busy working on the rest of the car.
The engine makes a noticeable rattling sound when idling and driving. I have been told that this is the exhaust which has a crack, or is broken at some point. I've also been told a variety of ways to fix this, but it all depends on if there is a crack, and where it is on the exhaust... I have no idea how to check for this though, and all advice is welcome... If it helps, I see oil splashes or leaks on the rear of the fiero's engine near the bottom, possibly from the exhaust?
while i am posting I might as well list a few other nagging issues: 1) The engine idles at a high RPM (about 1600 but approaches 1700 RPM). It hasn't actually been driven in 14 years however. 2) I am leaking transmission fluid from the tranny lines directly under the driver's side door. 3) on the passenger's side door, identical placement as the opposite side, the brake lines are rusted, but not leaking (yet). I fear the pressure from brake fluid flowing through the lines once I drain the brakes may be enough to puncture leaks in the rusted areas, but I am not sure of that yet. 4)the temperature and gas gauges are broken, or not working right now, I have tried disconnecting and reconnecting wiring and spare fuses but has not worked.
I would go after the high idle first. Normal warm engine idle is 950. The usual cause for a high idle on the V6 is a vacuum leak. The primary spot for a vacuum leak is the EGR tube. They crack and suck air and it's hard to see it.... you can test by loosening the bolts under the intake manifold and slipping a thin sheet of metal...a coke can strip is good...over the hole. If the idle goes down you have found the problem.
i found the rattling problem, I need new intake and upper plenum gaskets. there is air leaking from one of them and like you said that is driving the RPM up. so I got a couple problems solved at once.
If I have replaced seals and bearings on the front brakes, should I be changing the rear hub assembly as well?