GM recalling 1.4 Million vehicles with 3.8 Engine

[MikeMike]

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):

BUICK / REGAL 1997-2003
CHEVROLET / IMPALA 2000-2003
CHEVROLET / LUMINA 1998-1999
CHEVROLET / MONTE CARLO 1998-2003
OLDSMOBILE / INTRIGUE 1998-1999
PONTIAC / GRAND PRIX 1997-2003

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Mfr's Report Date: APR 08, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V116000
EA07008

NHTSA Action Number: EA07008

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1497516
Summary:

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Consequence:
IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE SPARK PLUG WIRE RETENTION CHANNEL AT THE FRONT OF ENGINE AND INSTALL TWO NEW SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Notes:
GM RECALL NO. 90047. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

 

[Kroze]

Go GM go.

 

[Kntx]

I wonder how many caught fire.

 

[StageLeft]

If you own a 1997 Buick you probably hopes it gets an engine fire so that you can finally be done with it.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Kntx
I wonder how many caught fire.

normally the NHTSA says that... but they didnt.

 

[MotF Bane]

That's almost mine, except I have a factory-mounted supercharger. Still, this is the second recall now on relatives of my car for oil leaks and fire possibilities, it'll get looked at.

 

[HannibalX]

That GM 3.8L V6 is one of the most reliable engines out there, regardless of manufacturer. It's been around forever and is pretty much bullet proof. These days newer designs make more power and are more efficient but few can touch it in terms of reliability and durability.

 

[LTC8K6]

If they haven't caught on fire by now...

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
If they haven't caught on fire by now...

Different variations of the engine have been in production for almost 30 years. I'd like to see your stats on how many of them have caught fire.

 

[LTC8K6]

Well, I meant that if they haven't caught on fire by now, why bother with a recall? It's been 6+ years.

 

[Jensenfc]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Well, I meant that if they haven't caught on fire by now, why bother with a recall? It's been 6+ years.

Did you read the article?

SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

The engine isn't going to catch on fire based on just starting the car. As these cars are getting older, more are leaking a little bit of oil which is why GM put out a recall because they see it as a potential issue if you brake hard.

 

[LTC8K6]

Gee, why didn't I think of reading reading the article? :roll:

They are not doing anything to stop the oil from leaking and catching on fire as far as I can see.

They are just removing some nearby fuel...

 

[Mermaidman]

This reminds me of the problem that the Honda CR-V had. Oil would drip from the oil filter onto the manifold and then . . . FLAMBE!

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Gee, why didn't I think of reading reading the article? :roll:

They are not doing anything to stop the oil from leaking and catching on fire as far as I can see.

They are just removing some nearby fuel...

And if that's all it takes to prevent any permanent damage/danger why would they bother? If the owner is worried about a little seeping oil out of a 10 year old gasket they can pay for it like anyone else would on any make or model. On a 10 year old car that you haven't had all the seals replaced having a leaky seal is pretty much a given. I don't care what kind of vehicle you have, but a 10 year old vehicle is pretty likely to have something that is at least weeping a bit of fluid on the original seals.

 

[LTC8K6]

It's the oil that is catching on fire as far as I can tell...

But hey, I don't own one so it's really not my problem. Unless one parks next to me...

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
It's the oil that is catching on fire as far as I can tell...

But hey, I don't own one so it's really not my problem. Unless one parks next to me...

From what it sounds like the amount of oil they're talking about is small enough that it can't actually do any damage, except to the parts they are relocating. A few drops of oil flaring is annoying and could leave a little bit of black stuff behind but if its just sitting on a piece of metal with nothing around it there's no real danger.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I see TONS of those model year Impalas and Grand Prix's around. I'm surprised I haven't heard about these problems until now.

Everyone I know with the 3.8s loves it. Plenty of power, decent fuel economy, and very reliable. It's a shame to hear this.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Doesn't sound like a problem with the 3800 itself but rather the position of something in there.

Mine is RWD so no worries. Stupid transverse engine mounted FWD vehicles

 

[LOUISSSSS]

nice, GM. not quite the nail in the coffin though.

 

[MikeMike]

Louisss, stop trolling, honestly, it is getting very old.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
Louisss, stop trolling, honestly, it is getting very old.

i'm just letting GM know that this recall wasn't so bad.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
Louisss, stop trolling, honestly, it is getting very old.

i'm just letting GM know that this recall wasn't so bad.

Is that because it isn't as bad as Toyota recalling their trucks which break in half?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
Louisss, stop trolling, honestly, it is getting very old.

i'm just letting GM know that this recall wasn't so bad.

Is that because it isn't as bad as Toyota recalling their trucks which break in half?

Actually it was so bad toyota could not recall them, toyota had to buy them back. :Q

 

[BassBomb]

Wonder w hat all the taxi drivers + police officers do, Impalas were used alot recently for police cars

 

[LordMorpheus]

This isn't any worse than ford's panther cruise control thing.

Faulty deactivation switch would short out while car was parked, and proximity to a fuel line could cause the vehicle to burst into flames spontaneously.

While parking in your garage while you are asleep.

It was incredibly rare, of course, but the potential consequences were heavy enough to warrant a recall.

I got mine fixed. The cruise control had been really hit-or-miss and I was starting to expect a charred hulk every time I walked out to the parking lot, until I finally found to time to go get the part replaced.

Now my cruise control works all the time!