Thread: Valve cover gasket

Originally Posted by silverstreak

You asked.

Recall Number: 08V118000Dates Manufactured: APR 1999 to JUN 2000Number of Vehicles Affected: 207542Date Owners Notified On: APR 2008GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPERATURES, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR EARLIER DEGRADATION OF THE FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET AND EVENTUAL OIL SEEPAGE. Consequence of Defect:
CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, THE FIRE MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND.Corrective Action:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FRONT (LEFT) ROCKER COVER GASKET WITH AN IMPROVED DESIGN FROM THE ORIGINAL GASKET AND REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL WITH NEW RETAINERS. DUE TO PARTS AVAILABILITY, OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTERS WILL BE MAILED IN TWO PHASES. THE CUSTOMER LETTERS FOR THE 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES WILL BE MAILED ON APRIL 28, 2008. GM WILL ADVISE AS TO WHEN THE OWNER LETTERS FOR THE 2001-2003 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES WILL BE MAILED. UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS (1) THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CAR PORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668

Originally Posted by matt5112

i've got an 02 gt.

Just what the dealership told me when I gave them my VIN to check for recalls.

And thanks silver

Road Safety Recalls Database

I love this ****... They state the EXACT same issue with the valve cover gasket and then just don't replace it.

While doing a search, I came across these two posts. While they say the same thing, the first states that it is for the s/c engine. The link in the second post states the recall is for the n/a engine. Is there two recalls, or is the recall for either engine? I have the issue on a 99 regal gs I just picked up, and if gm is willing to take care of it for me, then by all means it can be done on them since it is to cold out for me to do it. I am just looking to have my ducks in a row before calling them.

I think its for both. I know for a fact its for the s/c 3.8.

Originally Posted by JoshsGTP

I think its for both. I know for a fact its for the s/c 3.8.

Thank you. I can now call buick this morning.

Originally Posted by matt5112

Don't bother.

Just buy the valve cover gaskets yourself and replace both of them and the LIM gasket as well.

Why would I do that when buick will do it for free. I have done enough work to gm car that should have been a recall, and wasn't, so they can be on the hook for this. It goes to the chevy dealer in the morning.

I say take it in and have them go thru cleaning it out and breaking out the bolts. Should be easier to open it back up when you have to do it again. lol

Originally Posted by matt5112

Break what bolts?

Everything you have to take off either has an insanely low torque spec or is a non rusting bolt/nut.

its headers that are a *****.

everything else should come apart easy as pie.

Ya, true.. I was thinking there's always some "other" issue when you take something apart, though. They'll at least have to clean it out so dirt and goo doesn't fall in when they take it apart, right?

Headers aren't even a *****.. at least not to me. Maybe I'm "special"? LOL. Exhaust bolts are into the heads, they only rust on the outside.

Got the car back. Took the dealer two and a half hours. They did use the grommets. Another recall was performed. It replaced the low beam bulbs.