My son (15) and I are new to the Fiero world. We had let it sit for just a few weeks and had had some rain and went out to start it and let it run for a bit. We try to take it out at least 1x per week, he's learning to drive the 5sp. Anyway, we started it and had lots (2 cups maybe) of rust colored water leaked down below, felt like water, did not smell of anti freeze. Coolant level is fine and has remainded steady (we replaced the radiator and coolant shortly after we got it, 2 mos ago) It looks like it came from the muffler (which has what looks to be a small hole drilled in it, not a broken rusted out looking hole). It has steamed some when we've started it after rain before, kinda figure it was condisation maybe the way the tips tilt up its getting more in that way. Is there a place to look for rain water getting into the system? Or anything else we should look for?
The exhaust is rusty, looks original, will probably have to be replaced.
The exhaust is rusty, looks original, will probably have to be replaced.
The original exhaust system is stainless steel. Unless it's damaged and/or leaking, leave it alone. Rainwater/condensation is not going to hurt it. The original cat may need replacing by now though.
Thanks guys. So should there be a hole in the muffler?
No... There should not be a hole in the muffler. The only holes are exhaust gas in, and dual exhaust out. No other holes. Stainless steel can and does rust. I lived on a boat for 4 years, trust me.
No... There should not be a hole in the muffler. The only holes are exhaust gas in, and dual exhaust out. No other holes. Stainless steel can and does rust. I lived on a boat for 4 years, trust me.
Sorry Mitch, we can now no longer trust you.
Every Fiero I've ever had (seven of them), and every Fiero I've ever looked at (plenty) has had a small hole from the factory on the side of the muffler at the bottom. This is to allow condensation to drain out.
No... There should not be a hole in the muffler. The only holes are exhaust gas in, and dual exhaust out. No other holes. Stainless steel can and does rust. I lived on a boat for 4 years, trust me.
-Mitch
Yes, there are small holes in muffler, to let water out. Look at the ends of an OEM muffler.
I would bet that 99% of cars from the factory have holes in at least one spot in the exhaust.
It provides drainage for that exact reason, whether it be from rain or washing the car or condensation, the holes let the water escape so that the water does not sit and rot the exhaust from the inside out.
That hole should not be there, that appears to be a rust hole or a hole some previous owner drilled, the factory hole is smaller and is on the end like mitchjl22's second picture, not the side.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 08-20-2014).]
Thanks to all, I am a little concerned about the rust though.
Judging from your pictures, I'd be more concerned about your car's wheel alignment/camber/suspension. Those tires are shot.
It looks like that hole in the center of your muffler has been drilled (for added condensation drainage purposes). Unless the metal around the hole is weak (or the muffler sounds bad), I wouldn't worry about the surface rust.
I know at least some of my cars have a drain hole in the muffler. The motorhome does it one better....it has a fitting with a socket hex plug in the bottom of it. The manual recommends opening it several times a year with the engine running.
Regarding condensation and exhaust rust, couldnt one wait til the exhaust cools off the start it and only let it run maybe 10 seconds, with a rev, and shut it off, thus blowing out the condensation and not getting the pipe warm enough to create more? Something maybe to be done before storage.
...couldnt one wait til the exhaust cools off the start it and only let it run maybe 10 seconds, with a rev, and shut it off, thus blowing out the condensation
Condensation pools inside the muffler. The drilled holes are supposed to be as close as possible to where this pooling takes place to allow for drainage. IMO, water that's pooled elsewhere is not all going to be blown out of anywhere within ten seconds.
A bit of water sitting in a stainless steel muffler isn't going to be a huge issue.
I wouldnt worry about the surface rust on pipes. I put a new exhaust system on the generator of the motorhome last month. It already looks that bad and I only put a few hundred miles on it. I think the mufflers stainless though...it looks fine. All the exhaust pipes on new cars sitting on the dealer lots are rusty too.
Thanks Patrick, that's on the list. We've only had the car 2 mos and are knocking things off 1x1. Gotta get the lights fixed (sometimes they go up, sometimes they go down), a/c converted, radio fixed. We're not driving regularly just yet, so we've got a few months.
