Thread: Another GM recall for 3800 engine fire

The real issue is the VC gasket. Did them on my 97 and 06. Never had any issues with oil leaking after.

Originally Posted by Drive XR7

Called the dealer today and they have to order the parts from GM. Once they are in, they'll schedule time to replace the VC and gasket. I also removed my "beauty cover" because I don't want them to throw it out. Will ask them to return the oil tube too.

Did they return the oil tube intact? I'm not sure whether I want to have this work done. I certainly don't want to give up the beauty cover and oil tube. Guessing they won't replace the vc and gasket without removing the plastic parts. Maybe I'll just have the vc/gasket done somewhere else?

Originally Posted by Bronco Boy

Ditto. They have to wait until the parts are available, then they will contact you. And I'm sure this is a low priority recall for GM.

My guy said last one he ordered took two days. You might call your dealership again.

Originally Posted by Bronco Boy

I'm good thanks. My dealership has the parts, but I don't need the work done. They already wasted my time with the first recall.

called BACK IN MARCH 2016. SAID THEY WOULD call when parts came in. Never heard from them. Called twice. Waste of time even dealing with Gm dealers. Have another car and just paid to have felpro gaskets put on. At least I know the job is done right. Will not buy new cars because I refuse to deal with dealer ships.

I had the recall performed. Dealer only replaced the front v/c gasket. I ended up ordering a felpro and doing the rear myself.
Doubt that is really the fire problem here. About a year ago I noticed a strong fuel smell in my 97 GTP. Traced it to the black nylon fuel line feeding from the pump into the engine compartment. It had a pinhole leak in one of the bends that was dripping fuel, right above hot components. Spliced in a new section of fuel line since the full part was no longer available from GM. Guessing I was only a few days away from having the car go up in smoke like too many others have had happen.

tapaiO Your post is what makes this forum so valuable. Good to know about the fuel line.

Originally Posted by Bronco Boy

Never had a car with so many problems? You haven't had many cars then. I must admit that my GP is one of the best cars I have ever had.

I have been in the automotive industry for almost 30 years now, and trust me, what you see now is no different from the past/present/future. The only thing is that in this day and age, you hear more about it, and of course we have more vehicles on the road. This is how it is and will be probably for the rest of our time.

To me, this recall is a joke. Of course a leaking valve cover can cause a fire. How many POS vehicles are on the road with leaking valve covers? And never have fires? Keep your vehicle maintained and you won't have fire!

And sorry I mis-interpreted your statement of " This was unheard of until today's time". Seems like I read and replied correctly from this side of the screen. Thanks for making it clear what you meant the second time around.

No I just didn't get a lemon smarty

Thanks for posting this.. I was wondering how "in-stock" the parts are.. I called a nearby dealer and asked to have the recall done now. Just got a new MY17 ACC Volt to add to my collection I asked the dealer if they had the parts and they said they would call me back. They never called back.. Sounds like very common dealer behavior with regards to the recall..

I waited to get the new Volt because I am paranoid the dealer will break something like a nylon fuel line on my 98 GP because it's so old (18 yrs, 275,000 miles).. Every time I work on it something old usually breaks, which isn't disaster but takes a little extra time.

Can anyone share with me their experiences? Things to be concerned with in replacing the VCG? Any experiences with dealer breaking anything doing the recall? I'm going to video tape my car is in perfect condition before dropping it at the dealer.

BTW - my car is spilling tons of oil on the front header. It doesn't catch fire because I run Mobil 1 with a ridiculously high flash point. There's the solution to the fires

However I do have an interesting neighbor who complained the car is "not compatible with the character of the neighborhood"

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

Just remove the parts before the service done, don't over complicate things here. The dealer does not care if the plastic cover is there or not, they will just remove it if it does.

Take the cover and extended oil cap neck off, put the cap on and get the valve cover changed. Put the stuff back on when you are done.

When I thought about this recall I thought it may make "partial" sense because the extended neck is a lever. I do realize the original gasket is cheap junk which may be more the root issue. But not sure keeping the long neck would be a good idea.