My intake exploded!

[jefff944]

I went to start my 1998 Bonneville 3800 II and it exploded on the twist of the key! The car has 90,000 miles and runs perfect. The intake has a big hole in it and plastic shrapnel all over the engine compartment. Has anyone ever had this happen before? Can I go after Pontiac for the repair bill? Thanks Pontiac!!

[fredcoup]

Originally Posted by jefff944

I went to start my 1998 Bonneville 3800 II and it exploded on the twist of the key! The car has 90,000 miles and runs perfect. The intake has a big hole in it and plastic shrapnel all over the engine compartment. Has anyone ever had this happen before? Can I go after Pontiac for the repair bill? Thanks Pontiac!!

See recall notice below.
Campaign Number: 04V090000 Date: 2004-Feb-24


Component: Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery

Defect Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.

Consequence Summary: THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 WILL BEGIN ON JUNE 30, 2004, FOR THE 1998-2000 BUICK PARK AVENUE, LESABRE, 1998-2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE EIGHTY-EIGHT, AND 2000 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA VEHICLES EQUPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.