Upcoming Recall/07035 97-03 GP & Regal 3800 S/C vin 1

[mang01]

I might have expected this to affect Monaros and Commodores in Australia (and exported) with the 3.8L Supercharged engine too - unless the RWD and maybe RHD fitment changes the way this all works?

[mang01]

Originally Posted by mang01

I might have expected this to affect Monaros and Commodores in Australia (and exported) with the 3.8L Supercharged engine too - unless the RWD and maybe RHD fitment changes the way this all works?

Just spoke to someone who has one and they said they've already had it fixed under warranty; it's a 2002 CV6 Monaro, with a 3 year warranty - so maybe the problem was known about here in Oz for some time?

[funkietowne]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

Q14: Are the 1997-2003 Pontiac Bonneville, Buick Park Avenue and Riviera, and Oldsmobile LSS involved or any vehicles with 3.8L engines without superchargers involved?
A14: No, they are not part of this field action.

That doesn't make sense...they are the same exact engine. Even the front exhaust manifold is the same across all of these cars. I'd hate to have my Riviera go up because of this...

[377Z]

They are definitely not mathematicians, because 'about' 1 in 1000 out of 207,542 would be 'about' 208 cars, yet they state that 267 cars have had issues reported to date.

The nerd in me had to point that out.

[GMCSonoma]

Originally Posted by funkietowne

That doesn't make sense...they are the same exact engine. Even the front exhaust manifold is the same across all of these cars. I'd hate to have my Riviera go up because of this...

Well, I can't control that...that's what GM is saying...

[sargeTA]

I had a 1997 GTP Coupe and watched it go up in flames from under the hood back in 2003. I had used car dealer that was in the parking lot with me tell me that this was a common issue on GTP's as we watched it go up in flames. Glad I had full insurance on the car and didn't have it parked in my garage that night.

[ColinOpseth]

Originally Posted by funkietowne

That doesn't make sense...they are the same exact engine. Even the front exhaust manifold is the same across all of these cars. I'd hate to have my Riviera go up because of this...

Don't brake.

[tholland]

Originally Posted by funkietowne

That doesn't make sense...they are the same exact engine. Even the front exhaust manifold is the same across all of these cars. I'd hate to have my Riviera go up because of this...

What might be different is the temperature of the exhaust gases and therefore the exhaust manifold... the SC engines have the potential to be much higher, and it seems especially so with lower grade fuels. I've heard many GTP owners report glowing manifolds/headers after a spirited run.

[funkietowne]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

Well, I can't control that...that's what GM is saying...

Of course, I'm just saying GM's info release seems a bit fishy. Thanks for the info though!

It's not like they're on the engine line putting in different valve cover gaskets in engines based on which car they're going into. I'll just need to trade my obsolete pushrod powered car and buy a new Equinox, they don't have any gasket issues, oh wait...

[Tony's BlkGTP]

Thanks GMCSonoma. I currently have a 2000 G/P GTP with over 171,000 miles on it now. It's a very good car and I plan to keep longer if I can. For now, I don't have any oil leaks like that and the engine is pretty much original. I'm not sure if I would have got a notice otherwise since I purchased it used and it was not from a dealership. I will them look it over though.

[blank disk]

Originally Posted by Tony's BlkGTP

Thanks GMCSonoma. I currently have a 2000 G/P GTP with over 171,000 miles on it now. It's a very good car and I plan to keep longer if I can. For now, I don't have any oil leaks like that and the engine is pretty much original. I'm not sure if I would have got a notice otherwise since I purchased it used and it was not from a dealership. I will them look it over though.

How can some leak and some not?

The whole reason they leaked was that they were made of a material that warped from heat. Well, they all have heat and they all have that material, so yours is very rare.

[68 L79 elco]

this doesnt explain the fuel smell ive always read about that went along with the fires

and i guess the oil fire leaves my 98 daytona out , got slp headers , and no plug wire channel

guess ill have to pull the channel off the g/f's 97 gtp

[kuonen10]

Ok gmcsonoma why is it that just the front valve cover gasket is the problem i have been smelling oil burning in my 98 buick regal for about 6 months now and using 1-2 qts to the change and it is leaking out of the rear cover not the front. I run 89 octane is my car going to burst into flame in the near future.

[kuonen10]

How about this you overaccelerate and oil come out of the v/c in the rear that can't catch on fire like the oil that comes out the front when you brake to hard??? Doesn't make since.

Q23: An owner of an involved vehicle has concerns and requested immediate assistance. Upon inspection it is noted during the replacement of the front rocker cover gasket that the rear engine rocker cover gasket shows signs of oil seepage - should the rear gasket be replaced as well?
A23: Replacement of the rear engine rocker cover gasket is not part of the service bulletin repair procedure. Customers may wish to have the rear cover gasket repaired as part of customer paid vehicle maintenance.

[blank disk]

267 Fires!!!!

Why did GM wait so long to recall these death traps?