GM Recalling 1.5M Vehicles
04-13-2009, 07:43 PM
#1
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
GM Recalling 1.5M Vehicles
WASHINGTON – General Motors Corp. is recalling 1.5 million vehicles because of potential engine fires.
GM says there have been no reports of any fires or injuries.
Some of the recalled vehicles are no longer in production. The recall includes the 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue, the 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1997-2003 Buick Regal, and the 1998-2003 Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo and Impala.
It involves vehicles with a 3.8-liter V6 engine. The government says drops of oil could fall into the exhaust system and cause a fire in the engine.
GM spokesman Kerry Christopher says it was a precautionary measure for consumers.
Source: GM recalling 1.5M vehicles over potential fires
GM says there have been no reports of any fires or injuries.
Some of the recalled vehicles are no longer in production. The recall includes the 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue, the 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1997-2003 Buick Regal, and the 1998-2003 Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo and Impala.
It involves vehicles with a 3.8-liter V6 engine. The government says drops of oil could fall into the exhaust system and cause a fire in the engine.
GM spokesman Kerry Christopher says it was a precautionary measure for consumers.
Source: GM recalling 1.5M vehicles over potential fires
04-13-2009, 09:55 PM
#3
Administratus Emeritus
Certified Car Nut
Not sure why this is making the news again, unless it'* becuase they widened the recall to include all 3800'*?
The original recall came out March 12, 2008. But specifically named only the L67. Here'* that recall I dug up.
Subject: Upcoming Safety Recall 07035
Potential Under hood Fire - 3.8 L Supercharged
Engine
Models: 1997-2003 Buick Regal GS
1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
With 3.8 L V6 Supercharged Engine (VIN1 –
RPO L67) LISTED BELOW
To: All Buick and Pontiac Dealers
Attention: Service Manager, Parts Manager, and
Warranty Administrator
Based on information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, the media may report that General Motors will be announcing a safety recall involving certain 1997-2003 model year Buick Regal GS and Pontiac Grand Prix GTP vehicles equipped with a 3.8 L supercharged engine (VIN 1 – RPO L67).
These vehicles may experience an under hood fire. The fires may be caused by drops of engine oil being deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame in and in some instances the fire may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel. Most cases have occurred five to ten minutes after the vehicle has been turned off.
If a fire occurs, it may cascade through the engine compartment causing vehicle damage and in some cases, the fire may spread to structures where the vehicle was parked.
A total of 207,542 U.*. vehicles are involved. We are currently working with our suppliers to obtain parts required to launch a safety recall in the near future. However, in the interim, a customer advisory letter (see attached) is being sent to all customers of record to inform them of this situation. This letter will also provide three important precautions the customer should take: 1) Do not park the vehicle in a garage, car port or other structure. 2) If a burning odor is detected, the customer should take their vehicle to a dealer for inspection. 3) Customers should use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) as recommended in their vehicle owner'* manual. The customer letter will be mailed on March 13, 2008.
If a customer comes in with this letter or is otherwise concerned about this condition, please use Technical Service Bulletin 08-06-04-019 to service their vehicle. Please note that there are two T labor operations listed. Warranty claims should be submitted using the specific T labor operation depending on the source of the gasket (GM or aftermarket) you install in the vehicle. The use of the two T labor operations may allow GM different options when the recall is officially released. The Technical Service Bulletin 08-06-04-019 is available in SI on March 12, 2008 and is attached for your convenience.
We have been discussing the mysterious fire here for several years. It is funny that neither recall includes the Bonneville, but we have seen quite a few involved.
The original recall came out March 12, 2008. But specifically named only the L67. Here'* that recall I dug up.
Subject: Upcoming Safety Recall 07035
Potential Under hood Fire - 3.8 L Supercharged
Engine
Models: 1997-2003 Buick Regal GS
1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
With 3.8 L V6 Supercharged Engine (VIN1 –
RPO L67) LISTED BELOW
To: All Buick and Pontiac Dealers
Attention: Service Manager, Parts Manager, and
Warranty Administrator
Based on information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, the media may report that General Motors will be announcing a safety recall involving certain 1997-2003 model year Buick Regal GS and Pontiac Grand Prix GTP vehicles equipped with a 3.8 L supercharged engine (VIN 1 – RPO L67).
These vehicles may experience an under hood fire. The fires may be caused by drops of engine oil being deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame in and in some instances the fire may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel. Most cases have occurred five to ten minutes after the vehicle has been turned off.
If a fire occurs, it may cascade through the engine compartment causing vehicle damage and in some cases, the fire may spread to structures where the vehicle was parked.
A total of 207,542 U.*. vehicles are involved. We are currently working with our suppliers to obtain parts required to launch a safety recall in the near future. However, in the interim, a customer advisory letter (see attached) is being sent to all customers of record to inform them of this situation. This letter will also provide three important precautions the customer should take: 1) Do not park the vehicle in a garage, car port or other structure. 2) If a burning odor is detected, the customer should take their vehicle to a dealer for inspection. 3) Customers should use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) as recommended in their vehicle owner'* manual. The customer letter will be mailed on March 13, 2008.
If a customer comes in with this letter or is otherwise concerned about this condition, please use Technical Service Bulletin 08-06-04-019 to service their vehicle. Please note that there are two T labor operations listed. Warranty claims should be submitted using the specific T labor operation depending on the source of the gasket (GM or aftermarket) you install in the vehicle. The use of the two T labor operations may allow GM different options when the recall is officially released. The Technical Service Bulletin 08-06-04-019 is available in SI on March 12, 2008 and is attached for your convenience.
We have been discussing the mysterious fire here for several years. It is funny that neither recall includes the Bonneville, but we have seen quite a few involved.
04-13-2009, 10:05 PM
#5
Administratus Emeritus
Certified Car Nut
Not that I know of. But quite a few pics were posted in the old fire thread, I'd have to go dig thru the trash to find them. The fire always starts on the passenger side and that led some to believe it was electrical.
04-13-2009, 10:11 PM
#6
Administratus Emeritus
Certified Car Nut
I just remember one member that joined the club just to ask if the person who'* Bonneville fire he put out was here. He even posted it on YouTube. Something "Pueblo" was his name.
04-14-2009, 12:11 AM
#8
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
As I understand it, they widened the recall. It'* funny that the widened recall is specific to models and not just the engine. I mean after all, the engine is pretty much the same with all GM models in regards to the fire potential and suspected cause.
04-14-2009, 12:36 AM
#10
Administratus Emeritus
Certified Car Nut
Bonnevilles arent included in the recall. So anything they did including a look would be at your expense.
The problem as GM describes it is a gasket leak allows oil to leak down on the manifold and the passenger side of the engine. If I had the 3800, I would just make sure I dont have a leak as described. And if I did, I would go to a Dealer and say, recall or not....this is Dangerous!
The problem as GM describes it is a gasket leak allows oil to leak down on the manifold and the passenger side of the engine. If I had the 3800, I would just make sure I dont have a leak as described. And if I did, I would go to a Dealer and say, recall or not....this is Dangerous!
