Hello,
The intake manifold on my 2001 Grand Prix GT 3800 engine blew apart and started a fire. Fortunately the fire damage is easily repairable.
See the red arrow in the picture, a small vacuum hose is broken off. Not sure if that was done by the explosion, or broken before the explosion.
Blown UIM.jpg
Damage:
Back left fuel injector melted
All three back Fuel injector connectors melted.
Three Spark Plug wires
Small vacuum hose coming off the large vacuum to brake
Plastic return fuel line.
The back left part of the Fuel Rail is bent up.
So far, no wires are burnt!
Drove the car home and parked around 10pm, got up the next morning and as soon as I turned the key, it blew. I no not think the starter even had time to engage.
111k miles on car.
The internet is full of many thoughts about this; timing chain, stuck valve, fuel injector stuck open, ECU bad, etc..
When I logically think this through, the only way for this to happen is for an intake valve to be open when the spark plug ignites?
1. It this true?
2. Am I missing another way to blow apart the intake and started a fire?
Needless to say, I really want to find the why before I turn that key.
What I have done so far to check.
1. I looked down the intake ports and had someone crank the car to see if the value rods are moving. They are moving, so I assume that the timing belt is not broke.
What I plan to check today
1. do a compression test on each cylinder. Maybe a intake valve is not closing.
2. Use a NOID tester to see if something is wrong with the ECU to injectors.
3. get a code tester and see if there are any codes
Any other suggestions would greatly be appreciated.
Looking forward to your comments
Have a great Day!
kdc
