From FieroFocus website, dated 2002: "The first thing to do is to investigate if your V6 Fiero had all Pontiac recalls performed. One recall involved the replacement or servicing (pending the year) of the "Under The Rear Window" manifold along with it's gasket, bolts, and related. General Motors is obligated to perform the recall only once per vehicle, at their expense. Pontiac does not keep records of vehicles over 10 years of age, so you must research yourself, if the car had the manifold recall performed. Detailed information about this recall can be found on the internet by searching for "88-C-24". Some web sites have excellent diagrams. NIFE may have this data available soon on their website. If your V6 Fiero had the "manifold" recall performed, the problem is yours alone."
I suspect my Formula has a leaky manifold - there is an audible hissing sound coming from the engine compartment on acceleration, and when I had the glove compartment out a few weeks ago there was a rapid ticking/clicking sound on acceleration as well. I smell engine fumes pretty strongly especially on startup. I'm guessing that since the above information was written nearly 15 years ago, getting a dealer to honor this recall is going to be really tough... but is it worth a shot anyhow? The manifold job I'm sure will cost in the high hundreds... ugh
Another thing - while the FieroFocus tip says the recall will fix any manifold leak issues, upon looking up the details of the recall, I don't see that the recall affects the manifolds on 87-88 model years. Just a general fluid/wiring repair.
"Specifically, all vehicles will have a manifold deflector installed, a minor change to decklid sealing, a PCV system modification and a general inspection (and repair as necessary) of underhood fluid and wiring systems. Additionally 1985-86 model year vehicles will have a new exhaust manifold installed to bring them up to 1987-88 specifications.
Should I try to contact a dealer about this, or just suck it up...? I checked my VIN, no recall has been performed on my vehicle.
It depends on your personality I think....If you like arguing long shots....go for it, but I would not.
If you get a dealer involved, chances are better than 50/50 your car will end up worse than it is now. There is no one at the dealer that has knowledge or interest in getting your car fixed right. The recall is minor stuff compared to replacing an exhaust manifold....which is what you really need to do. Do you know which one of yours is leaking?
[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 05-31-2016).]
One problem with ALL of the old GM car recalls is that GM declared bankruptcy, so technically they are not libel for any recalls before the bankruptcy.....That doesn't mean that a good service manager wouldn't be willing to hook you up; My Father owned a 1986 Cavalier that had a non-functioning A/C throttle solenoid. He was in for some recall on the car, and mentioned the problem to the SM- Who went ahead and took care of the replacement...Even though the car had 60,000 miles on it- He asked and my father stated when he bought it it had 28,000...The regular warranty was 36/36,000...But the SMOG warranty was for 5/50,000 at the time- My Father didn't know he had been covered. By the way, That service manager was later fired for being "Too nice to the customers".......
It looks to me that the only part not including for the 1988 recall kit is the exhaust manifold pipe itself - gaskets and all other parts are to be replaced. So my guess is that yes, even a recall kit on an '88 would likely fix a leaky manifold (assuming a bad gasket is the culprit...) I'm pretty bad at wringing extra services out of people, but maybe Ill give it a shot anyways.
quote
Not to say you don't also have an exhaust leak, but IMO a "hissing" sound would be normal intake noise.
It might very well be. I don't have have experience with too many vehicles, but I feel that its quite audible in a distracting way. On the other hand no mechanic has mentioned it to me - at least 3 or 4 have been inside this car in the last half year.
The problem with getting a recall repair done is that there are no more parts available. I believe the order was that it would be performed as long as parts were available, which is common for safety recalls.
The problem with getting a recall repair done is that there are no more parts available. I believe the order was that it would be performed as long as parts were available, which is common for safety recalls.
I had a recall done well over a decade after the recall was issued...
The dealer said the part was not available and then I called GM and not long after the dealer called me saying how soon could I get it in. The part went from Not Available to being sent in over night so they could do it the next day.
Last I saw the kits were still available.
The big issue is that Pontiac is not around anymore and that leads to two issues. One GM may help on by getting a GM dealer be it Chevy GMC etc to do the job as many would shy away from it any way they can. Second finding someone who knows how to do it. Some tech will follow how to do this the GM way and drop the engine. I had found a dealer that had a tech that could do the job in one day and not drop the engine. Though dropping an engine is not as rare as it used to be as even this is how engines come out of the Camaro now as well as any and all FWD models now. It was a little different when the recall happened originally.
GM still follows up on most all recalls be it post bankruptcy or not. Since the ignition issues they have been very proactive even with the most simple recalls pre and post bankruptcy.
At this point you have nothing to lose but do go to GM first and go from there. They will be the best ones to pressure a dealer to do it. Dealers just don't know anything about this and really don't normally want to get involved.
Get all the info you can before you call like the recall numbers and kit numbers to speed up the process. The more you know about this the better you can make your case.
If this works you get it done if not all you are out is some time.
Manifolds also don't hiss normally they generally will tick almost like a lifter. You may want to check if you have any broken studs first and go from there. It could be a vacuum leak. The holes in the stock manifolds are not opened up and the manifold on the one side will expand and contract till it breaks the stud off. Then it leaks. If you can not get a new manifold then you need to open the holes up a little more so they can expand.
The key it to learn all you can no the recalls as generally they are the life of the car and last I heard the parts where still there as so many never went in to get the job done.
