recall for spark plug channel

[SNKPWR]

Anyone dealt with GM on this one?

I had the underhood fire that this recall is supposed to address, about three weeks ago. I had not had the recall done yet due to lack of parts availability and busy schedule. Got the call back from them yesterday that they basically were not going to do a damn thing since they had record of sending the recall notice several months back, and that there is some kind of 4 year limit on liability in Kentucky. I have no illusions that this is completely on them, but for the little bit of warranty cost it would have taken to keep me happy I would have thought they might take care of it. I guess finances are tighter than ever so it shouldn't surprise me.

Mostly curious as to what parts have had to be replaced and to make sure I don't miss anything when I fix it.

when one of the plug wires melted through, the only thing still connecting the two halves was the spiral winding, so the coil half fell back against the main engine wire harness...i can only assume that when i was trying to start it before i realized what happened, the high voltage got into the EGR wires and melted it...haven't taken anything apart, so I'm not sure if other wiring is screwed as well...so far i just put new front plug wires on it and tried to see if it would run enough to pull it in the driveway, no luck...

Here are pics of the damage:




any help is appreciated!

[tblake]

Ouch!

Check the wires going to the ignition module under the coils. There is a ground down there too. Is your valve cover melted through? Where is that vacuum hose supposed to go thats right in front of the engine mount near the EVAP solonoid? Looks like the fire may have gotten up towards the fuel injectors/FPR also....

[fitenfire4life]

Sorry to see that! Same thing happened to mine, I bought it from a friend for 1,500 put a new set of plug wires and it has been running for 2 years now!! I am in the slow process of finding engine cover, front hood scoops which completely melted, My main wire harness also melted, I wraped the whole thing in high temp electrical tape and it has been fine.

Good luck to you

[msusscle83]

Hi Guys...

I'm glad someone started this thread as I was actually wondering about the seriousness of the recall. I was sent the recall notice a couple months back, but due to my busy schedule along with dealer run-arounds I kept delaying addressing the recall. So it looks like this issue happens more than just on a one in a thousand chance? I guess I should look into it once again.

[BNaylor]

There are two recalls on this issue. The first was with the L67 SC SII 3800 engine and the second on the NA 3800. Although similar not the same since the one for the L67 engine called for replacement of the front valve cover gasket. Here is the one on the latter which covers this OP's engine.

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):

BUICK / REGAL 1997-2003
CHEVROLET / IMPALA 2000-2003
CHEVROLET / LUMINA 1998-1999
CHEVROLET / MONTE CARLO 1998-2003
OLDSMOBILE / INTRIGUE 1998-1999
PONTIAC / GRAND PRIX 1997-2003

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Mfr's Report Date: APR 08, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V116000
EA07008

NHTSA Action Number: EA07008

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1497516
Summary:

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Consequence:
IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE SPARK PLUG WIRE RETENTION CHANNEL AT THE FRONT OF ENGINE AND INSTALL TWO NEW SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Notes:
GM RECALL NO. 90047. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .