Ottawa Fiero Club Forum

On the way into work today, the car started over heating.  Smoke was billowing out behind me.  I got as far as the Husky Station exit when she died.

A belt was broken so I got it towed to Gananoque.

Picked it up and it was hard to start.  Funny...it should be "fixed".   >:(

Got it back to the office and smoke was coming out of her.  I added oil - she was bone dry.  I think that "little" leak was a lot more, even though when I checked it on the weekend, it showed that I had enough oil in her.

So she is parked out back while I wait for CAA to kick in (48 hour wait...means she'll be here until after work on Wednesday at least).  I need to bring it into a mechanic who knows Fieros.  I'm ticked that the local shop would replace the belt and call it fixed.

On the plus side, they did determine that my brake fluid leak was a result of the bleed valves being partially open (both on the front).   >:( 

I'm NOT a happy camper. 

Cheers, Derek

You're welome to bring it to my place I can honestly say I know Fiero's just as good as any mechanic will or even better. Dan

That would be my preference to be honest with you.  I find some of the help I've received to be questionable.

I'll have to see how far CAA will let me tow it.  Otherwise, is there anyone here with a trailer heading Dan's way? 

Cheers, Derek

PS  Thankfully my wife wouldn't allow me to sell the Blazer!  I'd be really pooched!!!

Just rent a set of dolley's from U-haul and tow it behind your truck. Just do not tell U-haul you will be towing a Fiero they do not like Fiero's there. Towed one behind my Trans Sport van from Kingston to my place a while ago with no problems. Dan

I'm probably the only guy who a) doesn't (and never have owned) a hitch, and b) has never towed anything before.   :(

Pretty pathetic...I know.

Cheers, Derek

PS  I'll come up with something. 

If you can rent the dolleys and cover my fuel costs I can drive up with my van and tow it back for you. Dan

That's because you are a recent Fiero owner.

I haven't said anything before, but I think you'd be a lot better off with something other than an iron duke in there. But that's just me.......  ;)

Here's the scoop:  Any time I start talking about the need to upgrade (computer, stereo, vehicle) that is when something happens and I am forced to make a purchase.

The coincidence is so strong that my wife says that I somehow sabatage things to ensure they break (like it was my fault I got rear ended and the car was written off, or that the hard drive died or the receiver/amp blew the insides?).

What is the one big upgrade I told my wife that I wanted?  A bigger engine.

How is it going to look when I get it out to Dan's and he says "You should put in a new engine"?

I'll let you guys explain it to my wife for me.   :P

I agree with you - the Iron Duke isn't for me. 

But as I said, tell that to my wife.   :D

DAN:  Let me know where you want me to reserve the dolly from and any information I'll need to give U-Haul so it will be all set up.

Thank you!

Cheers, Derek

You're coming to the gtg at Dan's in May right?  and she's supposed to be coming with you right?  I'm sure between everyone we might at least be able to make the idea more appealing to her  :)

Troublemaker.   :P

It doesn't have anything to do with the towing ability, it's because U-haul can't rent you the equipment if you are going to tow something illegally. Aparently you aren't supposed to tow cars backwards, even though tow companies do it all the time with rear wheel drive cars.  You just tell them you are towing something else.

Aaron

.

That was me... :-[

Whatever you tell her, let's just be clear that I have NOTHING to do with it and that I don't encourage it.

Her name is Lesley, compliment her on her Scottish accent, and ask her if she knows of any good recipes for Scottish shortbread.  :)

Also, agree that her husband (ME!) is a bit over his head with the current engine and that something newer - the 3800 - would be the best thing for him. 

Cheers, Derek

Does she wear a kilt.........because I've heard something about kilts  ^-^ .........  >:D

A 3800 of any kind is a nice upgrade.  Even a stock series 1 n/a is a bulletproof choice.

I wear a kilt.  What have you heard?   :P

Just kidding.  Neither of us wear kilts.

Cheers, Derek

Problem is that you may of fried that poor little duke al ready depending on just how hot it got and for how long plus the lack of oil probably didn't help either.  Now it probably best to just ignore the crazy old series I guy senility has gotten the best of him. For towing best would be for me to meet you in Kingston and go to a U-haul tell them some crap about how you need to rent a dolley to tow your Sunfire to Belleville. Then go get the car and tow it down here. Dan

Hey, I represent that remark!!!!!!  You missed it!  It was down on all 4 wheels for the first time in a year and a half (at least).   O0

Just pick the day and I'll set it up.  :)

Cheers, Derek

Saturday would be best for me As I have another car arriving Friday and have to be home for its arrival. Either that or Thursday evening after I get back from Peterborough. Dan

I'll call U-Haul in Kingston to reserve a dolly for Thursday (tomorrow) night.

Cheers, Derek

PS  Thank you!  :)

After an eventful morning at U-Haul (anger management consultants would likely blow their cool there), Dan was able to get the car to his place.

Sad news was reported however:  The engine didn't jump out of the car on the ride to his place and smash on the highway in order for me to collect the insurance money.  :(

My wife is on to me though...and this is why I'm not using my e-mail account to type this.  She thinks I've sabatoged the Fiero so that I could do an upgrade!  How ridiculous is that?!   ::)

On the plus side, she did buy an antique dresser while Dan, his wife and me were loading the car on the dolly.  She was only going to use the washroom (should have openned up the Town Hall....it would have saved me money!), but saw that we were still busy and dove into the antique store. 

Looks like I have a bit of leverage now...providing she agrees that it shouldn't come out of her "Home Improvements Allowance".  She's holding tight that she'll pay for it from her "allowance"...I'm pushing hard to get her to consider otherwise.   :D

The battle of the sexes has begun.

And I'm probably going to lose.  lol

Cheers, Derek

Well lets see fooled around and got the engine to actually start. steady cloud of blue smoke out tail pipe made the engine look not too promising but even worse is the strem of oil blowing out the valve cover at the PCV valve. Extreme blow by is what it looks like so I did a compression test, 30 psi on the best cylinder doesn't make things look any better.
In my opinion this engine is in need of either a complete rebuild or to be replaced with another engine.
Can ask around for another duke if desired or I do know of a nice recently rebuilt Fiero 2.8 that could be put in fairly cheaply or any one of many other engines could also be used as a replacement. Dan

Hmmm....I guess it comes down to "What makes the most sense in terms of cost."

If a new engine is in order, I may as well go with bigger (it's one of those rare opportunities in life that, as a male, you can).  Perhaps you could e-mail me at work - dmacphail@townofgananoque.ca - so that we can discuss costs.  If the main difference in cost between the Fiero 2.8 and a 3800 SC is the engine itself, I may want to bite the bullet (and the wrath of my wife) and go with the 3800 SC. 

Do you know of any kicking around that you trust?  I see a few on the http://www.car-parts.com site.

Cheers, Derek

PS  Has a time been set for the bbq at your place, Dan, and what should people bring?

Another 3800SC build by Dan is about to begin (I believe my wife just gave me a reluctant "yes"...too afraid to ask if that is a firm "yes" or not...best to wait 'til morning).

 :o

Cheers, Derek

You won't regret it.  Unless you have Dan do anything silly with the programming and/or internals, you'll probably end up with not only a more entertaining drivetrain but less money being fed to OPEC at the same time.   O0


Tentatively noon, but ultimately waiting for Dan's advice...  keep an eye on the thread about it in the Events section.