GTP/ Regal GS Recall
 

Just getting the word out. GTP and Regal GS's have a recall due to engine fires stemming from oil leaking onto a hot exhaust manifold. They say not to park in garages and such until your car gets checked out.

Has anybody seen this already, and can explain more? Is it the front valve cover gasket?

I heard it mentioned on the news last Thursday or Friday, but didn't catch the details of it. I meant to look it up, but forgot.

- Justin

so all of a sudden after 10 years of production this starts happening? lol

could be either valve cover gasket i'd say...no where else oil could really come from to drip onto the exhaust

Yeah, they list during braking though, so I would assume that in that case the oil rushes to the front VC. I know that I get occasional puffs of smoke.

And Ive got one... lol.

Is the bonniville SSEi included in this, it also had the 3.8L S/C motor? My grandpa has this car.

They don't list it in the article I read but since it's the same motor I would have it checked out.

Anybody wanna buy a used 00 GTP?

its now the GTP?, its been well documented as the GT's catching fire from a backfire in the throttle body over at CLUBGP.com. theres alot of pictures of thier cars all burned up as well as the property damage they sustained. i think they've been fighting with pontiac about this issue for quite some time, at least 2-3 years

(from club gp)
Hey guys and gals,
I just got a letter in the mail from Scott Lawson (GENERAL DIRECTOR) at G.M. I took the liberty to highlight a single key word which may get your attention. The letter stated:

Dear (me),

Part of our connitment to you is providing inportant information whenever a specific concern or problem may affect your vehicle.

G.M. will soon announce a safety recall to correct and issue that may cause a FIRE in you 1999 model year Pontiac Grand Prix with the 3.8L supercharged engine.

The purpose of this letter is to explain this issue, what G.M. is doing to correct it, and what you can do immediately to reduce the potential for injury.

We believe te fires may be caused by drops of oil being deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat sheild, it may ignite into a small flame and in some instances the fire may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel. This may have occured in about 1 in 1,000 vehicles.

We are currently working with our supplier to obtain sufficient parts so we can launch a full recall to address this situation.

Please know that we understand the concern this may cause and the need to correct it as quickly as we can. Until we are able to do so, there are three very important precautions you should take:

1. We strongly recommend you do not park your vehicle in a garage, car port or other structure.
2. If you notice a burning odor, you should have your Pontiac dealer inspect your vehicle. The dealership will inspect your vehicle without charge.
3. Use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in your vehicle as recommended in your vehicles owners manual.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, please call the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center between the hours of 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM EST Monday through Friday. It can be reached at 1.800.620.7668 (TTY 1.800.833.7668)

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

Scott Lawson
General Director,
Customer and Relationship Services

Which word?

My cousin had her GT burn up in her driveway. Not good.

what does premium fuel have to do with oil dripping onto the manifold and catching spark plug boots on fire? i'm puzzled

I thought the same thing at first, and my only guess is that running regular might lead to higher combustion temps, which would lead to hotter manifolds, which would make it easier to set the oil on fire.

- Justin

i was kinda thinkin the same but i just don't see why lower octane would produce higher temps. i think i'm missing something.

I had a 1998 Buick Regal GS a couple a years ago. I bought it used with about 75,000 and when it got to around 90,000 it would smell of oil when it got hot. Turns out BOTH the valve covers were leaking, although you could only see the front one. It is a fairly expensive job due to the amount you have to remove to get to the rear cover. I would guess that due to the fact that the GS models had the Supercharger, you would tend to drive it harder and that would lend it to be more prone to higher oil pressure. From what I heard before this recall, was that they had this problem for quite awhile. It could also be the extra BOOST pressure that causes them to leak. Top boost was around 7.5 pounds. I was running 20 pounds of boost in my 1989 Turbo T/A(with a manual boost control)and had to change my rear main seal 3 times and my oil pan was leaking, so I know that boost pressure can cause leaks you would not normally get.

im not sure either but whenever i used to attempt to run 89 or lower octane fuel in my gtp the car ran like ass.

I was using the PLUS gas(91 octane)in my 1998 Regal GS and it ran fine.:nod:

i think it calls for at least 91. i usually go to lukoil or exxon or hess for my fuel and its either 87,89 or 93

I received my recall letter for my 02 GTP yesterday. I've always put 91 octane in my car and never had a problem and martin has an 00 GTP and he's never had a problem with it. Guess we just gotta wait till they get all the parts together so we can get them fixed and see what the mechanic says.