Last time I was there, I was in line for 6 hours, and that was after getting there 40 minutes before the doors opened! I could make an appointment, but it would be sometime in AUGUST!
And I thought California was bad! Here most things can be done online (renewal etc) as there are no more tags. All the cops have photo detection now
That said we also have all in one government services places here, but fortunately not as many people. I have NEVER sat waiting in our DMV equivalent for more than 35 mins!
It is a FieroFlyer wiring harness. (snip) The harness looks great from the outside. However once you start to take the tape off, it is a jumble of all different wires connected with barrel connectors EVERYWHERE. (snip) The mechanic started to take the tape off of the wiring harness, and many of the wires that were attached by barrel crimp connectors, just came out of the connectors. They were not fastened / crimped well, and just the tension of taking the tape off the harness is pulling the wires out of the connectors. Next, he was able to find the yellow wire that is SUPPOSED to go to the temperature sensor, it was somehow routed to the A/C pressure switch. (snip)
He is still trying to find where a couple of the other wires from the computer ended up. When he is done, he tells me he will solder and shrink tube the wires correctly. (snip) Brand new wiring harness is all screwed up and wires going to wrong sensors ect.....
AHe says he is not getting correct readings on a few more wires, so he is sure a few other wires are going to the wrong sensors from the computer.
Caveat emptor.
So much for quality workmanship from a vendor.......
I'm very glad you found a competent shop locally to fix this problem! You have certainly had a long journey to get this project finished. Now, go drive it and enjoy!
[This message has been edited by olejoedad (edited 06-07-2017).]
I am just getting ready to go get the car. On the way home, I am gonna stop into Firestore and get it alligned. I have a lifetime alignment there. I know it has to be WAY off, new engine, transmission and left axle.
In the mean time, I ran across this photo i did a few weeks back. My Scion TC rims are pitting really bad. I really like the look of these wheels, and Photoshopped them onto my car. They are not too expensive at around $120 each.
I am not looking forward to the wait to get my tag tomorrow Our wonderful governor here in Florida decided to combine the drivers license offices, the tax collector and DMV's all into one building. This has happened all over the state. In my area, this put 4 Drivers license bureaus, 2 tax collectors and the tag office all into one building, with about 30% of the parking required. Most people park a 1/4 of a mile away in an Office Depot parking lot and huff it over. Last time I was there, I was in line for 6 hours, and that was after getting there 40 minutes before the doors opened! I could make an appointment, but it would be sometime in AUGUST!
Can you mail order it? That's what we do granted we know a month in advance when we will need it.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 06-07-2017).]
Just stopped by the shop, and the smoke isn't clearing up from letting it run. Turns out there is a LOT of gas in the oil from running so excessively rich. It is draining now, and I am off to get more oil and a new filter to take back to the shop.
Oh, and for some reason the brakes are very weak. Makes no sense. New booster, callipers, rotors, stainless steel lines.... Should be easy to figure out why, just more time....
Oh, and for some reason the brakes are very weak. Makes no sense. New booster, callipers, rotors, stainless steel lines.... Should be easy to figure out why, just more time....
Did you swap the Fiero master cylinder for the Chevy S10 Blazer one?
The consensus is there's no need to replace the master cylinder, at least what everyone in the brake booster thread said.
I became aware of that before doing my grand am big break upgrade so I stayed stock, however afterward I wasn't happy and decided to change out the master cylinder because I had one laying around and was happier with the brakes afterward. There isn't a lot to support this and it may be placebo but my opinion is my braking feels stronger.
I became aware of that before doing my grand am big break upgrade so I stayed stock, however afterward I wasn't happy and decided to change out the master cylinder because I had one laying around and was happier with the brakes afterward. There isn't a lot to support this and it may be placebo but my opinion is my braking feels stronger.
Having said that, I understand that you have put enough money out to not try a possibly "placebo" solution. I just figured I would lend my 2c from my brake experience. I hope you get it nailed down which I am certain you will. Too bad you already have the steel lines on there because now ya can't pinch them when bleeding/testing
Are brakes the 89 Grand am style calipers and vented rotors? My fiero has them with the stock master and its great as is. My guess is re bleed it. other: couldn't be junk on the pads or rotors themselves could it?
With the engine running now, an fluid flowing, a new small problem was found. The quick connect on the engine for the transmission was shot. I ran over to the Chevy dealership, just a block away and got a new one.
They were in the process of putting it on, and finishing up the oil change. The friend that gave me a ride had been more than patient hanging around for over an hour, but he had other things to do. I left the car there, and they are gonna button it up, and bleed the brakes thoroughly.
While I was there, I was able to finally get some photos of the exhaust system. I am very happy the way it turned out. The muffler is actually high enough, that it is about 1/2" above the cradle. It's on a perfect angle, where it does not hit the trunk wall, nor the cradle. They really knew what the were doing!
I am going to get some Hi-Temp flat black paint and hit the muffler and connecting pipes, as well as the bottom of the trunk pan.
The S-10 M/C upgrade is recommended if you have GrandAm calipers on all four corners, due to the caliper piston diameter difference from the Fiero. The biggest effect is that it restores the pedal height and increases the pedal braking zone travel range. I did the GA upgrade with stock M/C and was disappointed with brakes. Switched to S-10 M/C and brakes are superb. Stock vacuum booster.
The S-10 M/C upgrade is recommended if you have GrandAm calipers on all four corners, due to the caliper piston diameter difference from the Fiero. The biggest effect is that it restores the pedal height and increases the pedal braking zone travel range. I did the GA upgrade with stock M/C and was disappointed with brakes. Switched to S-10 M/C and brakes are superb. Stock vacuum booster.
Well that explains why I liked my brakes so much better after...Thank you olejoedad!
couldn't be junk on the pads or rotors themselves could it?
Sorry Jason, I overlooked this when I was posting all this stuff from my phone. It is slightly part of why they are not grabbing, as there is surface rust and crap. The main problem is the pedal is just mush. The booster is 100% working as the pedal is stiff when the car is off, start it, and the pedal just goes to mush.
quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:
The S-10 M/C upgrade is recommended if you have GrandAm calipers on all four corners, due to the caliper piston diameter difference from the Fiero.
I just have the GrandAM brakes on the front for now. I definately have put the S-10 Master cylinder on my list of things to do. This, for once, is a very easy swap!
quote
Originally posted by 2.5:
Which muffler did you use John, is that a one in - two out, but the two outs end up on the bottom where they need to be for a Fiero?
It is a stock Camaro muffler. Here is a well known photo that I gave the muffler shop as a reference on how to put it together.
[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 06-07-2017).]
Yes, I remember you saying that in another thread, and it is exactly why I went with the wrap on the muffler as well. If I didn't do so yet, then thank you for the recommendation.
Confusing. 2 threads with the same name in different boards.
Very confusing I know! This old forum software apparently does not allow you to move a topic/thread, and instead, it has to be copied to a new location. Then, anyone that subscribed to the old thread will never receive notifications from the old location. To make matters worse, the old thread just says CLOSED. A final post in the thread that it was moved, and a link to where it has been moved would be nice.
Oh! If all of that is not confusing enough, the original thread, that was copied to TCZ is still there, as a now CLOSED thread.
Ok, another update on the car. The fitting that was replaced yesterday did not stop the transmission fluid leak. The flanged pipe that goes into the quick disconnect has some micro fractures in it. They went to 3 different places before they found a place that had the small pipe. In the mean time while they were looking, I went to the dealership a 1/4 mile from my house, and they had one in stock. I bought it, just in case. FYI, the shop where my car is is a 40 minute drive away.
I JUST got a text that they did get the part, and already have it installed, and no leaks. They are dropping the car, and gonna take it for a test drive.
The quick connect part I replaced yesterday in the photo is #7. The line that was leaking is the one that attaches to #7. (Sorry for the crummy picture, it's a photo of the parts department screen)
Now to get my tail lights out of the closet, and wait for a buddy to come give me a ride to the shop..... this part is H E double L!
[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 06-08-2017).]
If you need a ride somewhere I would like to help ya if I can. I am in Boynton Beach.
Thank you for the offer, but the car is doing it's same old BS all over again......
The got the car outside and let it run for a half hour and the smoke completely cleared up. The car leaked a ton of gas, and he tells me it melted a spot of asphalt at his shop. If that's not enough, the brakes are bad enough that with your foot on the brakes, and just in drive the car moves.
Again, I have no clue as to why. They bled all the brakes EXTENSIVELY as he said on the phone. In the past year, I have installed all new calipers, and stainless steel brake lines. A year before that I installed the S-10 brake booster. After replacing the booster (and before actually) the brakes felt a little soft, so I replaced the master cylinder from a parts car. The brakes were exactly the same after replacing it.
It just never ends with this car.... why not a single thing can ever go right with it just absolutely fn defies any and all logic or explanation.
Its nerve racking I know but just know the car isn't out to make you angry its simply mechanical. its even harder when you have to rely on various shops to do it.
When you say you replaced the calipers with new ones...was that only in the front? I ask this because I trust that Alternative Automotive has bled the brakes properly, especially if they have done it multiple times. You mention that the brakes pump up when the engine is off but then sink to the floor when you start her up. I had a similar problem and after many attempts at bleeding the brakes (along with new booster and MC) and still feeling like there was air in the lines we determined that it was in fact a bad caliper that I had bought used from another forum member. Moisture had gotten to them while sitting in his attic. Could one or even both of your rear calipers be the culprit? Your car has sat for a long time with very little driving time at all. If the rear calipers have not been removed from the car I would say the chances of moisture damage is much less likely. This may point to your "new" front calipers possibly?
Yes, all 4 callipers are new. 2 different master cylinders have been tried, brakes have been bled through pints and pints if fluid. S-10 booster is brand new, sitting for about a year in the car since installed.
Anyway, what are the remaining (known) issues? 1. Gas leak 2. Brakes soft 3. ?
They should have no trouble finding/fixing the gas leak. Seriously, though, how the heck did they miss those leaks? It can only leak under pressure at that fitting. Fuel must be pumped from the tank, so it was running. I know little about the fuel system, but something is hokey there.
As for the brakes, there is a gauge that can be used to determine line pressure at the calipers. If the line pressure is correct, that means that vacuum, the lines, the hoses, the MC, the booster, the fluid, and the push rod are all good, and either the calipers or the banjo? bolts are bad. If the line pressure is bad, well, your brake hoses may have been damaged, but that's just a starting point.
With the pedal going all the way to the floor, that would be a significant amount of fluid coming out around the connectors right? We have seen no leaks of any brake fluid anywhere.
I'm just going to continue to do what I did for the past couple weeks, step back and let them handle it.
If the rear calipers did not have the parking brake setup properly adjusted (setting the proper piston clearance to the rotor using the parking brake lever), then you will get a soft pedal and excessive pedal travel as the rear piston has to move a further distance to contact the rotor.
Okay , I just called the shop. The transmission line is no longer leaking. They found the fuel Leak and were able to stop it. The brakes, come to find out was a leak in the vacuum line where at darts under the car. So that has been fixed. They have the car coming up the temperature was about to call me, and poof a large pop and water all over the ground. a freeze plug blew out of the block. So they're trying to Source One now and put a new freeze plug back in. What's this car, if it's one thing it's another!
Okay okay, I just got another phone call. The car is ready again :-) I asked him in all of your years of being a mechanic.... how long is it been he said he's been doing this for 40 years. I said in all of those years how many times have you had a freeze plug blow on an engine? he paused for a moment to said he has never had that happen.
......Only this car I swear!
[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 05-24-2018).]
its even harder when you have to rely on various shops to do it.
