1988 PONTIAC FIERO gas tank size

6-4 ENGINE GENERAL INFORMATION
Bent connecting rod.
HEAVY KNOCK H0"FVVI"F TORQUE APPLIED
Broken balancer, or pulley hub. Replace parts as e Exhaust system grounded. Reposition as
necessary. necessary.
Loose torque converter bolts. Flywheel
cracked.
e Excessive main bearing clearance. Replace as
Accessory belts too tight or nicked. Replace
necessary.
and/or tension to specs as necessary.
e Excessive rod bearing clearance. Replace as
necessary.
LIGHT KNOCK HOT
Detonation or spark knock. Check operation of e Loose torque converter bolts.
EST or ESC (See Section
6D or 6E). Check e Exhaust leak at manifold. Tighten bolts and/or
engine timing and fuel quality.
replace gasket.
8 Excessive rod bearing clearance. Replace
bearings as necessary.
KNOCKS ON INITIAL START-UP BUT ONLY LASTS A FEW SECONDS
Noisy mechanical fuel pump. Replace pump.
When the engine is stopped, some valves
will be open. Spring pressure against lifters
Improper oil viscosity. Install proper oil viscosity will
tend to bleed lifter down. Attempts to
for expected temperatures. See Owner's Manual. repair
should be made only if the problem
is consistent.
Hydraulic lifter bleed down. Clean, test and @ Excessive crankshaft end clearance. Replace
replace as necessary. crankshaft
thrust bearing.
@ Excessive front main bearing clearance. Replace
worn parts.
KNOCKS AT IDLE HOT
Loose or worn drive belts. Tension and/or @ Excessive piston pin clearance. Ream and install
replace as necessary. oversize pins. (VIN R and 2) or replace piston
A/C Compressor or generator bearing. Replace and
pin.
as necessary.
e Connecting rod alignment. Check and replace
rods as necessary.
Noisy mechanical fuel pump. Replace pump.
8 Insufficient piston to bore clearance. Hone bore
Valve train. Replace parts as necessary. and
fit new piston.
@ Loose crankshaft balancer. Torque and/or
Improper oil viscosity. Install proper viscosity oil
replace worn parts.
for expected temperature4 See Owner" e Piston pin offset to wrong side. Install correct
ENGINE OVERHEATS
Coolant system leak, oil cooler system leak, or
2. Belt slipping or damaged. Replace tensioner, or
coolant recovery system not operating. Check for belt, as required.
leaks and correct as required. Check coolant
3. Thermostat stuck closed. Check and replace if
recovery tank, hose and radiator cap.
required.
4. Electrical cooling fan operation. See the
ELECTRICAL TROUBLESHOOTING
MANUAL.
5. Head gasket leaking. Check and repair as
required.

(1/4") beyond the leak or damage area is enough to
make an effective repair. (Fig. 14).
d""U,"
Fig. 14 Fins Removed from Damaged Area
Tube Blocking
If a tube is severely damaged, it can be blocked
off. (Fig. 15).
NOTICE: DO NOT BLOCK OFF MORE
THAN TWO TUBES IN A RADIATOR.
BLOCKING OFF MORE THAN TWO TUBES
WILL REDUCE THE COOLING
CAPABILITY OF THE SYSTEM.
The tube should be cut off 6mm
(1/4") from the
header and pinched shut before it is cleaned and sealed.
(See General Core Sealing).
CUT
TUBE
Fig. 15 Tube Blocking
Header Repair
If the header or a tube near the header requires
a repair, the side tank does not have to be removed.
A
damp cloth can be placed against the side tank where
the repair has to be made (Fig. 16). The side tank can
also be submerged in a tank of water up to the header
(Fig. 17).
NOTICE: One of these procedures has to be used
when repairs are made on or near the header, to
prevent damage to the tank or gasket.
General Gore Repair
Preparation of the surface in the repair area
cannot be overemphasized. If the leak area surface is
ENGINE COOLING 6B-11
Fig. 16 Using Wet Cloth on Side Tank
not clean, none of the repair materials will stick to the
surface.
1. Position the core so the repair area is accessible.
2. Apply a wet cloth if you are working near the
plastic tanks or the joints between the core tubes
and header (Fig. 16); or submerge the tank in
water (Fig. 17).
SUBMERGE TANK -
Fig. 17 Submerging Side Tank
3. Heat the repair area slightly with a small torch or
heat gun to be sure it is dry.
Do not use a blow
torch.
4. Brush
the area to be repaired with the small steel
brush that is supplied in the kit and blow dust
away from repair area. (See Fig. 18).
5. Open
the tube of primer, using the spurred cap or
a pin, and apply primer to the repair area only.
Use of the primer produces a stronger repair.
Do
not heat the primer.
CAUTION: The primer contains
trichlorethane.
aa It could be harmful, or fatal, if
swallowed. If swaIIowed, gel
medical attention.

ENGINE FUEL 6C.3
a Fuel feed and return pipes are secured to the
underbody with clamps and screw assemblies.
The pipes should be inspected occasionally for
leaks, kinks or dents.
e Follow the same routing as the original pipe.
e Pipes must be properly secured to the frame to
prevent chafing. A minimum of 6 mm
(1/4")
clearance must be maintained around a pipe to
prevent contact and chafing.
MPFl Fuel Pipes
Due to the fact that fuel pipes are under high
pressure, these systems require special consideration for service.
Many feed and return pipes use screw couplings
with
"0" Rings. Any time these fittings are loosened
to service or replace components, ensure that:
a A backup wrench is used while loosening and
tightening the fitting.
e Check all "0" rings at fitting locations (if
applicable) for cuts or any damage and replace
any that appear worn or damaged.
e Use correct torque when tightening fittings.
If pipes are replaced always use original
equipment parts, or parts that meet GM
specifications.
Fuel and Vapor Hoses
NOTICE: Fuel and vapor hoses are specially
manufactured. If replacement becomes necessary,
it is important to use only replacement hoses
meeting GM Specification 6163-M. These hoses
are identified with the words "Fluoroelastomer"
on them. Hoses not so marked could cause early
failure, or fail to meet emission standards.
e Do not use rubber hose within 4" of any part of
the exhaust system, or within
10" of the catalytic
converter.
FUEL PUMP
The electric fuel pump is in the fuel tank. The
tank has an outlet for a vapor return system. Any vapor
which forms is returned to the fuel tank along with hot
fuel through a separate line. This greatly reduces any
possibility of vapor lock by keeping cool fuel from the
tank constantly circulating through the fuel pump.
FUEL PUMP RELAY
To control fuel pump operation, a fuel pump
relay is used.
When the ignition switch is turned to "RUN"
position, the fuel pump relay activates the electric fuel
pump for
1.5 to 2.0 seconds to prime the injector(s). If
the ECM does not receive reference pulses from the
distributor after this time, the ECM signals the relay
to turn off the fuel pump. The relay will once again
activate the fuel pump when the
ECM receives
distributor reference pulses.
Fuel Filter
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of fire
and personal injury, it is necessary
to
relieve the fuel system pressure
before servicing fuel system
components. (See Fuel System
Pressure Relief.)
The inline filters can be found on the rear
crossmember of the vehicle. Always use a backup
wrench any time that the fuel filter is removed or
installed. Also make sure that a good
"0" Ring is used
at all screw couple locations. Torque on fittings is
30
N-m (22 lb. ft.).
FUEL TANK
The fuel tank is usually located under the rear of
the vehicle and a number of shapes and sizes are used
depending on the application.
The tank is held in place by two metal straps,
hinged (with a bolt through the hinge) and secured at
the opposite end with a nut and bolt assembly.
Anti-squeak pieces are used on top of the tank to
reduce rattles and other annoying noises.
The fuel tank, cap and lines should be inspected
for road damage, whch could cause leakage. Inspect
fuel cap for correct sealing and indications of physical
damage. Replace any damaged or malfunctioning
parts.
Before attempting service of any type on the fuel
tank, always
(1) remove negative battery cable from
battery, (2) place "no smoking" signs near work areas,
(3) be sure to have C02 fire extinguisher handy, (4)
wear safety glasses and
(5) siphon or pump fuel into an
explosion proof container.
Fuel Filler Gap
The fuel tank filler neck is equipped with a
screw-type cap. The threaded part of the cap requires
several turns counterclockwise to remove. The long
threaded area is designed to allow any remaining fuel
tank pressure to escape while the cap is being removed.
A built-in torque-limiting device prevents
overtightening. To install, turn the cap clockwise until
a clicking noise is heard. This signals that the correct
torque has been reached and the cap is fully seated.
N OTI G E: If a fuel filler cap requires replacement,
use only a cap with the same features. Failure to
use the correct cap can result in a serious
malfunction of the system.
Available on some models is an electric locking
fuel filler cap. Information on this option will be found
in Section
9E.
FUEL TANK FILLER NECK
To help prevent refueling with leaded gasoline,
the fuel filler neck on gasoline engine cars has a built-in
restrictor and deflector. The opening in the restrictor
will only admit the smaller unleaded gas nozzle spout,
which must be fully inserted to bypass the deflector.
Attempted refueling with a leaded gas nozzle or failure

6E-12 DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS - FUEL INJECUION
and MPH) for abbreviations used in this Section, but
all types are acceptable.
NA/F - AI WFUEL (NF RATIO)
A.I.R.
- AIR INJECTOR REACTION SYSTEM - Air
flow from pump is directed into engine exhaust
manifold
and/or converter to reduce exhaust
emissions.
ALDL - ASSEMBLY LINE DIAGNOSTIC LINK - Used
at assembly to evaluate Computer Command Control,
and for service to flash the "Service Engine Soon"
light
if there are trouble codes. It also is used by
"Scan" tools to obtain ECM serial data.
BARO - BAROMETRIC ABSOLUTE PRESSURE
SENSOR
- Reads atmospheric pressure.
B + - Battery Positive Terminal (12 Volts) or
system voltage with the engine running
(approximately 13.8
v.)
CALPAK - A device used with fuel injection to
allow fuel delivery in the event of a PROM or ECM
malfunction.
CALIBRATOR - (PROM) - An electronic component
that can be
specifically programmed to meet engine
operating requirements for a
specific vehicle model.
It plugs into the Engine Control Module
(ECM).
CCC - COMPUTER COMMAND CONTROL - has an
electronic control module to control airlfuel and
emission systems.
CLCC - CLOSED LOOP CARBURETOR CONTROL -
Used to describe oxygen sensor to ECM to MIC
solenoid circuit operation.
C3I - Computer Controlled Coil Ignition. Produces
the ignition spark without the aid of an ignition
distributor.
CCP - CONTROLLED CANISTER PURGE - ECM
controlled solenoid valve that permits manifold
vacuum to purge the evaporative emissions from the
charcoal canister.
CID - CUBIC INCH DISPLACEMENT - Used to
describe engine size.
UL OR ULOOP - "CLOSED LOOP" - Describes ECM
fuel control when using oxygen sensor information.
COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR - Device that
senses the engine coolant temperature, and passes
that information to the engine control module.
CONV. - CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THREE-WAY -
EXHAUST CONVERTER. Containing platinum and
palladium to speed up conversion of
HC and CO, and
rhodium to accelerate conversion of NO,.
CO - CARBON MONOXIDE - One of the pollutants
found in engine exhaust.
6V - CRANKCASE VENTlhaflON - Prevents fumes
in crankcase from passing into the atmosphere, by
drawing them into the intake manifold and burning
them in the the combustion process.
DIAGNOSTIC CODE - Pair of numbers obtained
from flashing "Service Engine Soon" light or
displaying on a "Scan" tool. This code can be used to
determine the system malfunction.
DIAGNOSTIC TERM. - Lead of ALDL Connector
which is grounded to get a Trouble Code.
It is
grounded with the engine running to enter the "Field
Service Mode".
DIS - Direct Ignition System. Produces the
ignition spark without the aid of an ignition
distributor.
DVM (10 Meg.) - Digital Voltmeter with 10 Million
ohms resistance
- used for measurement in electronic
systems.
DWELL - The amount of time (recorded on a dwell
meter in degrees of crankshaft rotation) that current
passes through a closed switch; for example, ignition
contact points or internal switch in an electronic
control module.
EAC - ELECTRIC AIR CONTROL - Used on A.I.R.
system to direct air flow to air switching valve or to
atmosphere.
EAS - ELECTRIC AIR SWITCHING - used to direct air
flow to catalytic converter or exhaust ports of the
engine.
ECM - ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ELECTRONIC) -
A metal case (located in passenger compartment)
containing electronic circuitry which electrically
controls and monitors airlfuel and emission systems
on computer command control, and turns
"ON" the
"Service Engine Soon" light when a malfunction
occurs in the system.
EFI - ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION - Computer
Command Control using throttle body fuel injection.
EGR - EXHAUST GAP REClRCUbATlON - Method of
reducing NO, emission levels by causing exhaust gas
to be added to airlfuel mixture in combustion
chamber, thus cooling combustion.
EECS - EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS CONTROL
SYSTEM
- Used to prevent gasoline vapors in the fuel
tank from entering the atmosphere.
EFE - EARLY FUEL EVAPORATION - Method of
warming the intake manifold during cold engine
operation. Provides efficient airlfuel mixing.
ENERGIZEIDE-ENERGIZE - When current is passed
through a coil (energized) such as the canister purge
solenoid, the plunger is pulled into the solenoid.