This question may sound "out there" but do all Fiero mufflers have a small pinhole on one end for drainage? I happened to be under my 86 GT one day and I noticed a small hole in one of the seamed end sides at the very bottom. So, I plugged it with a screw. A few days later I just happened to at my Fiero buddies house and he noticed I plugged it with a screw. He told me to take that screw out or my muffler will prematurely wear out due to water build up. Is this correct? Lastly, when the engine is idling you can feel exhaust flow coming out of that hole. Is that ok or not ok? Thanks, Kit
I already did. It was only in there for a few days and that was years ago. Right now I'm chasing exhaust leaks and I'm concerned about whether or not exhaust flow is supposed to come out that hole. You can really feel it. Thanks, Kit
I'm concerned about whether or not exhaust flow is supposed to come out that hole.
Yes, it's an old-time trick to extend the life of the muffler. The amount of exhaust that comes out the hole is negligible. Yes you can feel it, but it isn't harmful or noisy.
Yes leave the hole. My motorhome actually has a screw in plug in the bottom of the muffler so you can unscrew it to drain water out. All engines get condensation in them from cold air and hot engine. Any car that sets overnite spews water out the tail pipe when its started till it gets hot enough to dry it out. More rusted out mufflers and tailpipes are caused from that than from outside exposure.
Interestingly enough, water is a by-product of combustion. The tailpipe opening is so far from the combustion that the exhaust cools & the water condenses in the exhaust system. As it warms up, it dries out. The little muffler hole drains water out that doesn't dry if the muffler doesn't warm up enough.
When I leave my Fiero parked on a sloped driveway in the rainy weather, the water runs down the bumper and into the trumpet exhaust. The first start up tends to have ALOT of water in the pipe.
I have often wondered if a car is going to be stored for a while, if a guy should wait until the engine is cool and then fire it up for a few seconds to blow the water out? I have also wondered about drilling a tiny hole in mufflers that do not already have a hole.
