Recall 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by mike561

maybe this thread should be pinned to the top of this forums section as "important"

I disagree. Then we would have to do it for all recalls since day one which we are not going to do. There is plenty of publicity out on this issue and if it were that important or members really concerned then it would be at the top of the forum because of all the constant replies or discussions without making it a sticky. Also, AF has a recall forum that no one seems to use. See link below.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...lay.php?f=1750

[mike561]

ah i see, diddnt know that

[FullyAvenged]

SO when is this so heard of recall going to kick in for the 97 to 03 GTP's gonna kick in? I don't want to have my car idling and have it catch on fire. FOr those who don't know what the recall is about, it is oil deposits that collect on the exhaust manifold from hard braking and when owners have had there car running the engine has caught on fire. I guess GM is addressing this problem and are making it a recall. Just don't know if anyone knows any ore info.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by FullyAvenged

SO when is this so heard of recall going to kick in for the 97 to 03 GTP's gonna kick in? I don't want to have my car idling and have it catch on fire. FOr those who don't know what the recall is about, it is oil deposits that collect on the exhaust manifold from hard braking and when owners have had there car running the engine has caught on fire. I guess GM is addressing this problem and are making it a recall. Just don't know if anyone knows any ore info.

Sorry but this issue has been well discussed and we have an existing thread on the issue in which a search would have shown. So your post has been merged with the other. See link below.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=893778

[BNaylor]

Here is some additional info concerning the recall and some FAQs at the following link:

Click here

Although this is only applicable to the L67 GTP and Regal GS with the VIN "1" SII 3800 engines I would highly recommend that Grand Prix owners with the L36 SII 3800 VIN "K" in GT and SE models take a close look at their valve covers for any leaking since this is cause for a possible underhood engine fire. Better safe than sorry.

As a precaution I decided to inspect and then replace the front valve cover gasket and the 6 bolt grommets on my wife's '99 Regal LS (SII 3800 VIN "K") with 128K miles last week. I noticed the GM gasket replaced back at around 65K miles was flattened out even with the correct 89 in-lbs of torque. See Pic 1. Also, the cylinder head has poor oil drainback and the oil puddles at the front area so it is probably worse when braking.

I used the Duralast/Felpro brand gasket kit from Autozone which came with two valve cover gaskets and 12 bolt grommets. The bolt grommets should be replaced as well. Total cost was $11.00 plus tax. Part number is VS50080R. See pic 2. The Felpro gasket kit for the L67 is shown below and runs around $50.



Pic 1



Pic 2



This one pic courtesy of HotZ28

[phewop118]

I wonder if the 3800 Series III s/c will eventually have the same problems. I've heard about some 04 and 05 GP's needing valve cover gaskets, but never any fires.

I also would like to say that my Intrigue has a leaky valve-cover gasket and has had one since 60k miles. But it doesn't have the 3.8, rather the 3.5, which was Olds specific and is also known to have valve cover gasket problems. I wonder if GM would ever consider covering those gaskets too? (I guess they'd have to cause fires before they'd ever do that)

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by phewop118

I also would like to say that my Intrigue has a leaky valve-cover gasket and has had one since 60k miles. But it doesn't have the 3.8, rather the 3.5, which was Olds specific and is also known to have valve cover gasket problems. I wonder if GM would ever consider covering those gaskets too? (I guess they'd have to cause fires before they'd ever do that)

I wouldn't hold my breath. Best to get the leaky valve cover gaskets done regardless of whether GM will cover it. It doesn't matter what GM engine over the years they all wind up with leaky valve cover gaskets. I recall having to replace them even in the small block Chevy V8 decades ago.

[wafrederick]

The supercharged and non supercharged valve cover gaskets are differant in one way and I cannot remember how now.My father bought one that caught on fire because of leaking valve cover gaskets and did not do much damage from an auto slavage auction 3 years ago.All he replaced was the wiring harness,fuel injectors,plug wires and valve cover gaskets,fixed the gas lines with a fuel line repair made by Dorman.The Carquest parts store he got the valve cover gaskets from asked him if it was supercharged or not.My father told them it was supercharged and they were $80.00 for the set.He sold the car about 3 years ago and has not caught on fire ever since.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

The supercharged and non supercharged valve cover gaskets are differant in one way and I cannot remember how now.

As far as composition same material. The difference is in the pattern and cutout for the fuel injectors. The L67 supercharged has the fuel injectors in the cylinder head whereas the L36 normally aspirated has the fuel injectors in the lower intake manifold port runners. Clearly you can see that by comparing the two pics below.



L36 Valve Cover Gasket Set



Pic courtesy of HotZ28. L67.



Pic courtesy of HotZ28. L36.

[grandprixgtx00]

just figured I'd share this with you guys. this is one of the guys i know from the Wisconsin Club Grand Prix. these are pics of his 98 Grand Prix Daytona Edition....happened last week

before... (the daytona on the passanger side of the orange car)



after...



during...



He's not real sure if this is in reference to the recall. i would seriously die...

if you guys want more info check this link out...

[BNaylor]

Sad! Sorry to hear that. Personally I don't think there is any relationship to the recall but sh&t happens. This looks like a fuel related fire to me. We have some old posts just as bad that are similar in nature. That is one of the risks you run into when heavily modded like this guy was. A good on-board fire extinguisher would have come in handy.

[grandprixgtx00]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

Sad! Sorry to hear that. Personally I don't think there is any relationship to the recall but sh&t happens. This looks like a fuel related fire to me. We have some old posts just as bad that are similar in nature. That is one of the risks you run into when heavily modded like this guy was. A good on-board fire extinguisher would have come in handy.

yeah, he said he thinks one of the O-rings may have failed. just 2 weeks ago i watched this car get dyno'd. it dyno'd in at 463 whp on PUMP gas

[wafrederick]

It was about where the injectors were.The one I seen burned up was the wiring harness and plug wires that my father fixed and sold.The person that is also a cutomer was informed of this being done.

[richtazz]

Wow, I would have cried if I saw that. That's a shame that such a nice car is wasted.

[TexasAnnie]

I know you'll find this difficult to believe, but.... My 1997 GTP has 54,600 miles on it.

Yeah, I don't drive much!

I've been looking at new vehicles and then went to CarMax and looked around there. They'd give me $3500 for my car. The more I thought about it, the more I decided to keep it. It's a good car.

Right now it's leaking oil, but hopefully that'll be fixed soon. The rear speaker pops something awful intermittently and I dunno what that is about. The dealership (Beck & Masten), years ago, "fixed" the radio volume knob so that if you turn it left it goes UP instead of down, but I mostly use the controls on the steering wheel. When it gets to popping I just shut it off and hum to myself!

It's "slipping" a bit when I give it some gas and I had it in the dealership and they couldn't find anything wrong with it. It's not happy climbing hills. I was thinking it might be the transmission, but I had that serviced about 9,000 miles ago..... however that WAS in Jan of 06 so maybe it needs it again (?).

I had the spark plugs and wires replaced as well as the value cover gasket in Jan of 06 too so hopefully I can ignore the recall.

I'd appreciate any suggestions as to where an old gal, such as myself, could take their GTP for repairs without having to float a loan first! I'm in NW Harris county.

Have a great, safe day.....