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1997 Pontiac Fiero Muffler/exhaust system

Tiny
GPBADGER
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 PONTIAC FIERO
Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Pontiac Fiero 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I just had my muffler/exhaust system changed at a garage. Before I brought the car in it was loud, but otherwise ran fine.
Since I picked my car up I have noticed that now it struggles to reach cruising speed, sputters and feels like it is going to die. Sometimes it puffs out black smoke out of the pipe and now I am burning gas like crazy!
Was the install done wrong or is this some crazy coincidence? What could the problem be?
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 AT 7:09 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
I assume you mean 1987, since they went out of production in 1988.

It is possible they hit the convertor with a hammer or some other impact, this could internally damage the convertor and plug it up causing an exhaust restriction. If you have a SES light on they may have forgotten to reconnect the O2 sensor.

The black smoke indicates a rich fuel mixture which will damage the convertor. Rich mixture is generally caused by a sensor failure.
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
GPBADGER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I'm sorry, but I guess I clicked the wrong button. The car that I'm talking about is a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am.
Could the problem be the same?
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
Yes would still apply to the Grand Am. You can have the PCM scanned at any auto parts free.
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 AT 12:22 PM

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