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Pontiac Grand Prix Engine fires 3800 series II 1996-2003

428 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2012 at 7:42 AM

You are in the Pontiac Grand Prix Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Prix, Engine, Sedan

Messages Page 43 of 43

#419 of 428 Re: 2002 buick Lasabre [kirstie_h] by kirstie_h HOST

Apr 03, 2012 (9:11 am)

Also, please remember to report your incident to the NHTSA - they are the government agency responsible for tracking issues and investigating defects.
 
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/index.xhtml

#420 of 428 Have these cars been back to the dealer by imidazol97

Apr 17, 2012 (8:31 am)

I wonder how many of the people with problems due to oil seeps collecting and moving onto the hot exhaust have had their cars back to the dealer for servicing or for oil changes. I believe there was a recall for modifying the plastic loom for the spark plug wires.
 
If the owners have their oil changes done at QuickyCheap lube and don't follow the internet for recalls and TSBs, they may not have had proper checks and updates done to the vehicles. Also, the seeps would have given an oil smell occasionally from oil getting onto the exhaust area. That should have prompted a visit to a knowledgeable repair facility to check on the source.

#421 of 428 FYI by KarenS HOST

May 04, 2012 (8:01 am)

Recalled but Unrepaired Cars Are a Safety Risk to Consumers
 
Details of GM's 3800 Model Engine Recall

#422 of 428 where did everybody go? by benajah1759

Aug 05, 2012 (9:47 am)

Seems like nobody comes here to tell their Grand Prix fire stories any more. Maybe all the ones that were going to burn have burned. My 1999 is still alive. No fires.....yet.......

#423 of 428 Re: where did everybody go? [benajah1759] by kirstie_h HOST

Aug 06, 2012 (8:41 am)

Replying to: benajah1759 (Aug 05, 2012 9:47 am)
Since this discussion covers 8 model years, the earliest of which is 17 years old, it's safe to assume that some of these vehicles have died peacefully of natural causes. Vehicle fires in this model aren't exactly what you'd call a common or expected occurrence - as mentioned, we're covering 8 model years here and given the number of complaints, your statistical likelihood is low.
 
May you have many more happy years!

#424 of 428 Re: where did everybody go? [kirstie_h] by benajah1759

Aug 07, 2012 (5:46 pm)

Replying to: kirstie_h (Aug 06, 2012 8:41 am)
kirstie, did or do you have one of these cars?

#425 of 428 Re: where did everybody go? [benajah1759] by kirstie_h HOST

Aug 08, 2012 (8:48 am)

Replying to: benajah1759 (Aug 07, 2012 5:46 pm)
No, I just host this discussion.

#426 of 428 Me Too! by diachris

Oct 27, 2012 (8:25 pm)

I am shocked to see all of the Grand Prix's that have caught fire.
 
My car engine started on fire last week, 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix with the 3800 engine. I decided to google Pontiac fires because I was so confused why it started on fire.
 
Parked my car outside to go into a store and within a few minutes I overhear someone mentioning that an older Grand Prix has smoke coming from the engine and I go outside to see it was my car!
 
Car is totalled just lucky the car fire didn't injure anyone or anything else. Still a little freaked out that could have started in my garage.
 
Didn't realize there were all these issues with the 3800 engine.

#427 of 428 Same problem by zthomas91

Nov 30, 2012 (10:43 pm)

MY 97 grand prix caught fire back in September. the fire went out before it caused any serious damage. off instinct, I replaced the cat converter, spark plug wires, o2 sensor, and power steering hose, car still gives off burning smell but I won't drive it longer than 5 minutes for fear that it will catch on fire again. I called the dealer and they said that my car had already been serviced for the recall and they sent me a letter saying my car was out of warranty in 2007 so what next? I really would like to drive my car again.

#428 of 428 Re: Same problem [zthomas91] by imidazol97

Dec 01, 2012 (7:42 am)

Replying to: zthomas91 (Nov 30, 2012 10:43 pm)
The dealer told you it had already been serviced for the recall by taking of the plastic part that would catch and hold oil drippings.
 
What I would do is replace the silicon valve cover seals with new ones. They tend to settle with age and not seal as tightly, allowing a little leakage. Replacing them stops the leak.

Messages Page 43 of 43

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