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Just wondering if anyone has heard of similar occurrences involving this make of vehicle. I understand the older models were prone to fires originating near the fuel tank area and that a recall was issued.
Thanks for your time.
Regards,
my car, was witten up in Consumer Reports 2 times also. Both stated that the fire started somewhere inside the engine compartment somewhere on the drivers side....
Anyone with some information regarding what options (my father, mother, sister and niece plus 3 cats that are staying in a hotel room at the moment) have please respond.
Angryowner2 :sick:
Anyone with some information regarding what options (my father, mother, sister and niece plus 3 cats that are staying in a hotel room at the moment) have please respond.
Angryowner2
Thanks,
Jeff
Jeff
I disconnected the connector and could see an 'O'ring inside. I went to a dealership parts department and found the 'O'ring is not sold separately. I was told to purchase the entire fuel line. Which I didn't do. Unfortunately all auto manufacturers have parts like this.
I carelully removed the 'O'ring so I didn't scratch the inside of the plastic fitting where the 'O'ring seals. Took the 'O'ring to Autozone and could not find this sold separately. However they carry an 'O'ring assortment in a blister pack that had one inside. I could see it through the package. (I think there were 14 'O'rings in the package for $7.00) I must CAUTION you that this 'O'ring is a pink color for a reason- the package MUST STATE for use in gasoline! A regular black 'O'ring will fit but MUST NOT be used-the gasoline will attack it.
I measured the old and new 'O'ring. The old one is at the absolute minimum of tolerance for thickness. The new one is near the max of tolerance. I put the new 'O'ring into the plastic fitting and you could feel the resistance as you assembled it to the fuel rail because it is thicker.
I changed this approx 41/2 years ago and haven't had a problem or a smell of gasoline since (and I look for problems).
The pink gasoline proof 'O'ring is the problem. Change it and avoid a fire. You can do this standing up in about 15 mins.
http://www.lemonauto.com/complaints/gm/pontiac_grand_prix.htm?gclid=CKKT9dztq5kC- FRlcagodtUBBKA
Thanks!
How can an individual find out if a recall has been issued in regards to the security system? Why doesn't American made cars have the same workmanship as foreign made cars? It is a total disgrace! No wonder our country is in such a disaster!! I bet the CEO's of GM and the like who make millions of dollars, don't drive GM products. It's a shame and something should be done!!
At minimum, you'll need a manual with an accurate schematic, a volt meter, and a fuel pressure gauge to root-cause a fuel system problem. If you think GM cars are difficult to diagnose, wait until you have a break-down on a foreign car and try to troubleshoot that yourself.
Many of that era GM cars were recalled due to an ignition switch problem. If it has that problem it is also a serious fire hazard. My 97 Grand Am was recalled for this. Call the dealer to find out about recalls. You'll need the VIN so they can look it up. A very recent recall notice may not yet show-up in their system, but usually a car that old has no recent recalls. One exception to this is the recall this forum is the subject of.
If you must troubleshoot your own vehicles, regardless of the make or model, you'll always need a credible service manual, such as a genuine OEM manual or an online service subscription. The days when you could troubleshoot a car without a manual went away with carburetors.
My suggestion for a service subscription is www.alldatadiy.com. It is cheap (~$17 per vehicle) and it is electronically searchable, making it better than any paper document. Alldatadiy will also show you pertinent recalls and technical service bulletins.
Keep you posted,
sly_guy
Thing is, I have an '03 Bonneville SSEI with the same engine.
Can anyone shed some light on if this Recall would involve my car?
I bought this vehicle new and all maintainance has been done by the Dealership.
I'll go out in the driveway and write down my VIN # and proceed from there.
I wonder if I could get a new engine outta this? Doubt it.
But it'd be nice to get a brand spankin' new Supercharged engine!
I can wish, can't I?
under recall by GM.
(CNN) -- The possibility of engine fires has prompted General Motors to recall nearly 1.5 million passenger sedans manufactured between 1997 and 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Monday.
The recall covers certain mid- and full-size passenger sedans under GM's (GM, Fortune 500) Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac brands.
The recalled vehicles all have naturally aspirated 3.8 liter V6 engines -- that is, engines that uses atmospheric pressure to bring in air for combustion rather than a mechanical blower -- according to documents filed with federal regulators by GM last week.
On Friday, the federal government acknowledged the filing and agreed to the plan.
0:00 /1:14Will automakers deliver?
The problem involves a potential for oil to leak on the exhaust manifold during hard braking. When a car operates under normal conditions, the manifold can get very hot. Oil that runs below the manifold's heat shield could ignite and spread to plastic channels that hold spark plug wires.
The company recommends as a solution for the problem a change in the bracket that holds spark-plug wires, which will be done free of charge. Owners and dealers affected by the new recall will be notified by letter next month with details.
The vehicles involved are 1997-2003 Buick Regals; 1998-2003 Chevrolet Luminas, Monte Carlos and Impalas; 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigues; and 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix.
GM issued a similar recall on a similar engine in 2008, according to the company's filing with the government. That problem was traced to a faulty gasket on the engine rocker cover.
First Published: April 14, 2009: 5:13 AM ET
here is the link as well http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/14/autos/gm_recall/index.htm
Because of the mods that you have done I think you are going to have a tough time with your insurance company. They always look for any loopholes not to pay. But, if you have any witnesses or video of the flames coming from the wheel well then you should be able to argue that that is how they all have burned up, and it shouldn't matter that you had mods done. At least, that's how I see it. But, I'm no expert.
My car burned and I received full market value for it from my insurance company. I just received a call the other day from an attorney for the insurance company who is suing GM and he said that he thought they had a very good chance to win, and that I would more than likely get my deductible back. That is left to be seen yet.
Good luck.
Have there been any lawsuits about this or has anything received anything from GM. Has nyone called GM and received any results?
Did you have the recall work done on the valve cover gasket that was part of the safety recall?
Jeff
Good luck with it.
Thanks
Chris
Thanks,
Jeff