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Valve cover gasket

silverstreak said:
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
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matt5112 said:
i've got an 02 gt.:th_thumbsup-wink:

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.
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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.
 


Don't bother.

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

The rear gasket leaks just as easily as the front, (they only replace the front) and the grommets need to be repalced as well.

Just like the LIM gasket does.

Then change the supercharger oil, plugs, wires, oil, replace tranny fluid with synthetic Dex III, flush powersteering and coolant......................................

I think i got it all.

As for the topic at hand.

N/A aka vin K you get new plug wire retainers.

S/C aka vin 1 you get new plug wire retainers and a new front valve cover gasket.
 
matt5112 said:
Don't bother.

Just buy the valve cover gaskets yourself and replace both of them and the LIM gasket as well.
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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.:th_thumbsup-wink:
 
because they wont replace the grommets.

and you really should if you want the gasket to last.

they also wont replace the rear gasket either.
 


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
 
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.
 
matt5112 said:
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.
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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.
 


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