Thread: Another GM recall for 3800 engine fire

I see a lot of complaining about GM not fixing the real cause of the engine fire. What is the real cause?

Originally Posted by Bronco Boy

IMO, the real cause is lack of maintenance. If your valve cover is leaking, it needs to be changed.

So the root cause of the engine fire is, indeed, the leaky valve cover?

Originally Posted by brettstoner

So how can we fix the problem as cheaply as possible. I know. Instead of fixing the leak we will move the wires so it will drip on the ground instead of down to the manifold. Now several thousand more NTSB complaints, few more car fires, few more deaths. Hey I know how we can fix it. Rather then replace the gaskets, cause hey that's too expensive, why should we do things right, let's just remove everything out of the way that can catch fire.

Same with the ignition recall. Wait. Rather then replace a defective ignition switch let's just prevent people from using their key ring. Why fix the actual problem when you can just half a$$ the repair!

Don't you just love GM! Shows you that money matters more then people's lives.

A++

I received the recall notice, and contacted my favorite dealership. I mentioned I had already changed the valve cover gasket, and they said there was a reimbursement. They told me I needed to wait for the parts to come in, then to make an appointment, and they would reimburse me then. No idea how much it is, or if they will still want to change the valve cover, but I already took off the oil fill tube extension and replaced it with a generic oil cap, so they shouldn't need to change it.

I got the letter about 2 weeks ago for my GTP. When I bought the GT I called the stealership and asked if they'd do it on the GT. The service guy said he had no idea what I was talking about, the only recall he had was for the plug wire re-route.

Of course, that same stealership is why I started doing my own repairs a LONG time ago. But, maybe I can get them to reimburse me for the new gaskets.

I have 2 cars, which recall notices have been received: a 1999 3.8 k Grand Prix and a 2001 3.8k Monte Carlo SS.
The notice says the front valve cover and gasket will be replaced with animproved design, and the plastic "beauty cover" and oil fill tubewill be removed. No notice of what they will be replaced with.
I called GM and one dealer and was told that only if the front valve cover wasleaking, would a repair be made. The dealer said no parts were available untilthe middle of March. The parts mentioned were a new valve cover gasket if aleak was found.

I called a second dealer and was told that a new valve cover andgasket, along with a new o ring for the oil filler tube, would beinstalled even if no leaks were found. This second dealer took my phone numberand said he would order the parts and call me to make an appointment when theparts were in. He said the valve cover gasket was on back order but the otherparts were available.
Man, is GM ever screwed up. I was wondering if anyone has had this repair doneor received a recall notice.

I have checked both cars, and I can find no leaks around the valve covers. TheMonte Carlo has 38,000 miles and the Grand Prix 172,000 miles. The grand prixhas had a new intake manifold and new Fel-pro valve cover gaskets installed.

There have been over 1,500 car fires because the oil leaks onto the exhaustmanifold. The recall notice recommends parking the cars outdoor as 85% ofthe fires start with the cars unattended.
I would be interested in any feedback or experience you had regarding thisproblem.

I called a dealer to setup appointment for the recall and also they said they would have to order the part and will call me to set up an appointment when the part arrives. So we wait and hopefully not blow up in the meantime. GM needs to correct this the right way. This is my second or third recall for this issue, can't remember now. They just don't care anything about their customers lives. This was unheard of until today's time. All they care about is the mean dirty green(dollar bill y'all).