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Pontiac Grand Prix Engine fires 3800 series II 1996-2003

317 messages,  Last post on Nov 11, 2009 at 3:42 PM

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#276 of 317 Re: Engine fires 3800 series II 1996-2003 [njbrain] by arfcars Mar 11, 2009 (9:04 am)
Replying to: njbrain (Sep 04, 2006 4:49 pm) I do engineering work for aircraft engines so I maintain my car more than most. When my 2001 G/P G/T was about 3 years old I got a faint smell of gasoline. Upon further investigation I found what you found. The plastic snap on connector from the fuel tank to the fuel rail would leak if you touched it. I disconnected the connector and could see an 'O'ring inside. I went to a dealership parts department and found the 'O'ring is not sold separately. I was told to purchase the entire fuel line. Which I didn't do. Unfortunately all auto manufacturers have parts like this. I carelully removed the 'O'ring so I didn't scratch the inside of the plastic fitting where the 'O'ring seals. Took the 'O'ring to Autozone and could not find this sold separately. However they carry an 'O'ring assortment in a blister pack that had one inside. I could see it through the package. (I think there were 14 'O'rings in the package for $7.00) I must CAUTION you that this 'O'ring is a pink color for a reason- the package MUST STATE for use in gasoline! A regular black 'O'ring will fit but MUST NOT be used-the gasoline will attack it. I measured the old and new 'O'ring. The old one is at the absolute minimum of tolerance for thickness. The new one is near the max of tolerance. I put the new 'O'ring into the plastic fitting and you could feel the resistance as you assembled it to the fuel rail because it is thicker. I changed this approx 41/2 years ago and haven't had a problem or a smell of gasoline since (and I look for problems). The pink gasoline proof 'O'ring is the problem. Change it and avoid a fire. You can do this standing up in about 15 mins.
#277 of 317 Re: Engine fires 3800 series II 1996-2003 [outdoorlady] by desi521 Mar 17, 2009 (12:20 pm)
Replying to: outdoorlady (Mar 10, 2009 5:08 pm) I feel as dumb as dirt at this point! But...What recall? Do you mean to tell me that GM finally got their act together and did a recall regarding the manifolds? I know when my Z burned, there were only 38 documented cases of the fires so they weren't accepting any blame let alone doing a recall, silent or otherwise. Are they now? Please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it. Thanx!! Replies to this message: grngtp (Mar 17, 2009 3:05 pm) cruster68 (Apr 13, 2009 8:49 pm) jmazz01 (Apr 14, 2009 7:09 am) jettech (Mar 17, 2009 10:36 pm)
#278 of 317 Re: Engine fires 3800 series II 1996-2003 [grngtp] by desi521 Mar 17, 2009 (1:05 pm)
Replying to: grngtp (Mar 10, 2009 4:30 pm) It did suck, Hugely!! I'm just glad I was in the drive thru of the bank & not driving on the highway or something when the fire started. The firemen actually had to cut thru all of the electrical lines up by the firewall in order to stop the stupid car. The couldn't understand it either. As I had a full tank of gas, we were also extremely grateful that it didn't explode or even that the battery didn't blow. The idiot from the insurance company said it was an electrical fire but we always believed it was due to the plastic intake manifold & now I'm just a wee bit concerned about my Grand Prix. As they physically had to hold me back from going to my car, I'm not sure which came first, the fire or the car stopping. I think that I was a bit in shock. Except for the hood, if you looked at the car from the rt side, you couldn't even tell it was burned. Even the interior was still pristine, except for having gotten wet, but it was leather, but it dried out really well. I even thought abt fixing it. The headlights didn't even break. Just the left quarterpanel was burned & of course the entire engine compartment was fried along with every wire harness being cut & burned to a crisp. I cried for a long time over that stupid car.
#279 of 317 Re: Engine fires 3800 series II 1996-2003 [desi521] by grngtp Mar 17, 2009 (3:05 pm)
Replying to: desi521 (Mar 17, 2009 12:20 pm) The recall is only for supercharged engines. They replace the front valve cover gasket and reroute some of the wiring at the front of the engine over the exhaust manifold. There is more information in this thread, probably posted around March 2008. Replies to this message: cruster68 (Apr 13, 2009 8:49 pm) jmazz01 (Apr 14, 2009 7:09 am)
#280 of 317 How does GM compensate owners for re-called vehicles by sly_guy Mar 17, 2009 (7:52 pm)
I'm at a loss for words and with a loss of vehicle... I'm wondering how is GM compensating vehicle owners for their losses. If anyone has come to a resolution with General Motors for their total loss of vehicle, please post a comment...
#281 of 317 Re: Engine fires 3800 series II 1996-2003 [desi521] by jettech Mar 17, 2009 (10:36 pm)
Replying to: desi521 (Mar 17, 2009 12:20 pm) Take a look at this site. It explains the recall.   http://www.lemonauto.com/complaints/gm/pontiac_grand_prix.htm?gclid=CKKT9dztq5kC- FRlcagodtUBBKA
#282 of 317 2001 Grand Prix GT Coupe by ahhs Mar 21, 2009 (2:52 pm)
Does anyone know where I can get ahold of the weatherstripping for both door on a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT? The part I need is ontop of the door frame that separates the door frame from the body of the car....I can't seem to find any after 1997...   Thanks!
#283 of 317 by ahhs Mar 21, 2009 (2:54 pm)
I'm stupid when it comes to engines...does the recall include a 2001 GT Coupe Limited Edition model?
#284 of 317 '02 Pontiac Grand Am not starting by sickofpontiacs Mar 31, 2009 (12:16 pm)
Okay, I'm totally fed up with Pontiacs!! We have a 97 Pontiac Grand Prix that would not start. Thought it was the fuel pump. Replaced it yesterday doing the same thing. Someone said it could be the ignition switch. Hate to keep guessing and throwing money away!! Then we have a 2002 Grand Am. We have been having problems with the security on it. The car will not start and then you have to reset the code by turning the key to on, leave on for 10 minutes and then try to start. Has always worked up until yesterday when we went to store. Tried to reset code, still will not start. Had to have towed to house because the dealership has never been able to find out what's wrong. We finally figured out how to reset system from this website. So now we have not one, but two piece of craps made by Pontiac that you spend more time f-ing with than driving. How can an individual find out if a recall has been issued in regards to the security system? Why doesn't American made cars have the same workmanship as foreign made cars? It is a total disgrace! No wonder our country is in such a disaster!! I bet the CEO's of GM and the like who make millions of dollars, don't drive GM products. It's a shame and something should be done!! Replies to this message: tommy231 (Mar 31, 2009 6:27 pm)
#285 of 317 Re: '02 Pontiac Grand Am not starting [sickofpontiacs] by tommy231 Mar 31, 2009 (6:27 pm)
Replying to: sickofpontiacs (Mar 31, 2009 12:16 pm) No offense meant... but how was a bad fuel pump confused with a bad ignition switch? There should never be the need to replace a fuel pump unless it is confirmed to be malfunctioning through proper diagnosis. This is true of all makes and models.   At minimum, you'll need a manual with an accurate schematic, a volt meter, and a fuel pressure gauge to root-cause a fuel system problem. If you think GM cars are difficult to diagnose, wait until you have a break-down on a foreign car and try to troubleshoot that yourself.   Many of that era GM cars were recalled due to an ignition switch problem. If it has that problem it is also a serious fire hazard. My 97 Grand Am was recalled for this. Call the dealer to find out about recalls. You'll need the VIN so they can look it up. A very recent recall notice may not yet show-up in their system, but usually a car that old has no recent recalls. One exception to this is the recall this forum is the subject of.   If you must troubleshoot your own vehicles, regardless of the make or model, you'll always need a credible service manual, such as a genuine OEM manual or an online service subscription. The days when you could troubleshoot a car without a manual went away with carburetors.   My suggestion for a service subscription is www.alldatadiy.com. It is cheap (~$17 per vehicle) and it is electronically searchable, making it better than any paper document. Alldatadiy will also show you pertinent recalls and technical service bulletins.

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