GM Recalls 207,000 Buick Regal, Pontiac GTP's

[japslpr]

This story was posted locally on our news site concerning fires associated with the 3.8L Supercharged engine!

GM recalls 207,000 Buick Regal, Pontiac Grand Prix cars | TOP STORIES | WVEC.com | News for Hampton Roads, Virginia

[AlmightyBirdman]

The automaker said Friday it is recalling the 1997-2003 Buick Regal GS and Grand Prix GDP models with 3.8-liter supercharged V-6 engines.

lol

[japslpr]

lol

yeah I caught that too...dumbasses

[GR8racingfool]

Food for thought...

Went to my favorite local junk yard today to take some pictures of this 1998 Regal GS that only had 36,000 miles on it....

In all honesty, there is some slight oil build up on the front head, but I have seen much-much worse on a L76 that never has ever caught fire. I guess this was the "1 in 1000" that caught fire. But what gets me...is the hood damage...If the fire was up front...from the front manifold igniting the dripping oil from the front valave cover, wouldn't more of the front of the car be damaged...rather than the back side of the engine area? Hummmmm.........









My vote...those quick connect lines are leaking, not the front valve cover.

Guess we will see how many cars go in for the recall, and catch fire later down the road. Wonder who pays for the car then? GM? LOL

~F~

[David99GTP]

I dont trust my quick connect lines. Made me nervous when I changed out my rails and realized I had those quick connects right under the hood. Nice to have that possible fail point near so many possible ignition sources.
If it is the valve cover seals leaking, then adds to an argument for a clean polished engine bay to spot leaking issues early

[GreenNirvana101]

Well, I smell burning and my headers are smoking! Looks like I'll be calling the Dealership tomorrow!

Do I just need to give them my VIN number and they should fix it for free? I've never had a recall before.

[1HOTGTP]

i got that letter from gm like 2 days ago for my gtp

[GreenNirvana101]

Are you guys all original owners? I called the dealership and they are giving me a pretty hard time. I never got a letter in the mail from GM, and they said I need to present that for anything to be done under warranty. I am the third owner of the car, and just bought it like 3 weeks ago....

Would they have sent my letter to the original owner? Also is there any way to look up the VIN number to find a recall? Thanks!

[japslpr]

I'll post the letter tomorrow.

I don't think they really know what the problem is. How many of you guys have actually seen a fire caused from oil leaking around the valve covers??

I would say the source would be more from injector o-rings leaking or at the fuel line connections above the supercharger. Fuel will leak there and sit on top of the charger in the valleys and we all know how hot that thing gets.

If GM is concerned with an oiling issue, I would def look more into the Lower intake manifold bolts. Oil leaks past those bolts all the time because they thread into the head where the oil is flowing and if there is no sealant on the bolt, oil pools up around the bolts.

[GreenNirvana101]

Well that would sure explain why my gas mileage has gone to sh*t. So you think the fuel is leaking, and thats the burning smell I might be smelling? There is definitley smoke coming out of my exhaust manifold area.

[japslpr]

Well that would sure explain why my gas mileage has gone to sh*t. So you think the fuel is leaking, and thats the burning smell I might be smelling? There is definitley smoke coming out of my exhaust manifold area.

No that is not what I am saying. I'm saying that fuel could be leaking, but you need to check. It will be quite obvious if you have fuel leaking from the fuel line connections to the fuel rail.

If you have smoke coming out of the manifold area, it could be oil. You need to check them out visually. If you have stock manifolds and the heat shield on them, remove the shield and see if there is any oil buildup.

[98grngtp]

New to the forum but have owned a 98 GTP since 98 when purchased new. Great car that I really enjoy, even if the original engine kicked a rod out at 14K miles after normal driving. The replacement engine only has 38K miles and is still dry without any leaks.

I agree with GR8racingfool about the GM defect analysis that oil leaking on the manifold is causing the fires. I suspect fuel leakage at the fuel line connections to the fuel rail also. I've removed the injector cover because that would just make leaking fuel more likely to collect and ignite rather than evaporate. The foam on the cover would absorb quite a bit of fuel.

I've been following the problem on another thread, Pontiac Grand Prix Engine fires 3800 series II 1996-2003 - CarSpace Automotive Forums , and someone just posted that their car burned after having the recall work completed, Pontiac Grand Prix Engine fires 3800 series II 1996-2003 - CarSpace Automotive Forums.

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#227 of 227 Re: my car [jmazz01] by jettech May 28, 2008 (1:03 am) Save | Reply
Replying to: jmazz01 (May 21, 2008 9:39 am)


Just had the recall maintenance completed on my 2K Grand Prix GTP last week...car burned up tonight. Appears the fix doesn't work. People beware...check your engines for any leakage.

Fortunately I have full coverage on the vehicle, but the blue book value will in no way compensate me for what the car is actually worth. I loved that car. It was fire engine red and the paint was in perfect condition. Looked like it just came off the showroom floor. I am really depressed about this.

==============

Jeff

[ssikk]

I am a fire vicitim

For those of you wondering weather you should replace your equipment or not... read on.

My car ---- burnt....totalled
My roomates car -----burnt .... totalled
THe right side of my house.....burnt.... $22000 in damage....

Im... screwed... my roomates screwed.... and our lives are screwed. i have to drive for work. im probably going to lose my job. Insurance wont cover it....(liability only) they wont even cover my roomates car.

Pictures b

my buddies car below me (roomate)




roof damage.... along with the whole damn house




If you guys want more let me know.


ill just keep waiting by the phone for GM to decide to replace everything...