2002 Grand Prix GTP - I smell oil burning

[phogstenjr]

Hello,

I purchased a 2002 Grand Prix GTP on Wednesday and after driving the vehicle for a while (longer than I drove it to test drive it), I smell oil burning. Any risk of the GP bursting into flames or is that issue actually fuel related?

I am not sure if this vehicle was recalled due to a leaking valve cover gasket. If it was recalled, can I find out if it was repaired somewhere online or would I have to take the car to a dealership?

Thanks,

Paul

[Scottydoggs]

vin # in hand, call a dealer, they can tell you. it only covers the front v/c, not the rear one.

so its best to just get some de greaser, spray the engine down, top and bottom, hose it. then watch for a leak.

you can also, car cold, take a paper towel folded up, then wipe under the valve cover lip, if it comes up with wet oil theres your leak. wet dirty spots are also leak areas, or the trail of oil.

[rennoc442]

Doubt flames would happen unless it is a major leak. Private seller or from a dealer? If it was a dealer I'd go back and complain and maybe they could help you out.

[SgtMarshal]

that was happening to me a while back, ended up being the oil sending unit and the oil pan leaking. sending unit is an easy repair, oil pan is a bit more intensive. the oil was blowing back and burning when it hit the downpipe.

[phogstenjr]

I purchased the vehicle from a private owner.

[hensleya1]

I purchased the vehicle from a private owner.

The GM valve cover gasket recall campaign suffered from one intractable problem - the GM dealers got lazy and only replaced the front valve cover gasket. Trouble is, the rear one is just as likely to leak.

Get some valve cover gaskets for like $15 at Autozone/Advance/NAPA/etc and budget an afternoon to do the job right... whatever you do don't get ACDelco gaskets though. Get felpro's. Last time I saw someone put an ACDelco valve cover gasket on his car it leaked like a sieve.

[phogstenjr]

Ok, thanks for the information. Should anything be done with the fuel lines, as I have read that a leaking fuel line is what is responsible for Grand Prix catching on fire?

[Scottydoggs]

if it leaks fix it. mine was leaking right on top of the sc. pulled the o rings out the fuel line, and replaced them. no more leaks.

if its not leaking, dont mess with it.