NHTSA investigating GM's Supercharged 3800 V6

[Punisher Bass]

The NHTSA has commenced an "engineering analysis" of GM's supercharged 3800 Series II V6 engine. Fitted to certain 1999-2002 models, such as the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, Buick Park Avenue, and Oldsmobile LSS, they are apparently catching fire at a rate thirteen times greater than the naturally aspirated engine. Specifically, the agency has 180 complaints of "non-crash-related fires originating in the engine compartment while driving or after the vehicle is parked and the ignition switched off." An engineering analysis isn't a recall, it is a possible precursor to a recall. If you have that particular engine in your ride, you can find out more about the NHTSA's investigation here.

Well... since I have this very engine in my Buick, I'm a little worried. I know they are going after cars built from the modle year after mine, but I don't believe GM changed the series II that much between 98 and 99. I hope it turns out that these fires were caused simply by stupid people. If there turns out that there will be a recall, I can't picture how many cars it would effect.

[Blind_Io]

There are many, many stupid people; a 13% increase is a bit too high to be related to user error in a sample size this large.

[bartboy9891]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

There are many, many stupid people; a 13% increase is a bit too high to be related to user error in a sample size this large.

It doesn't say 13%, it says at a rate 13 TIMES greater than the NA engine. But either way, it doesn't sound like an isolated incident.

[Punisher Bass]

Yes I know this bumping an OLD thread, but I thought it was important enough to warrent one.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/r...due-to-engine/

Normally, we get our recall notices directly from NHTSA, but since the fed's search section is down for maintenance, we'll rely on Kyle's tip to point us to GMInsideNews. The forum for all things General-related has posted a directive addressed to all Buick and Pontiac dealers regarding an upcoming recall issued by NTHSA that affects the 1997-2003 Buick Regal GS and the 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP fitted with the 3.8-liter supercharged V6.

Both models apparently have a problem with oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold under hard braking. If the oil makes it underneath the manifold's heat shield, it's possible that it could ignite a small flame which could spread to the spark plug covers. The engine fire normally happens five- to ten-minutes after the vehicle has been shut down, and GM is suggesting that all of the 207,542 vehicles affected shouldn't park inside garages, carports or other parking structures until the required fix is completed. The recall notices were sent out today, so we'd suspect that dealers should have the necessary parts in stock by the end of the month.

Until NHTSA's site gets back online, follow the source link below for the full directive.

[Source: GMInsideNews]

[Spectre]

Mmmmm.... Fire!

[Spectre]

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=87627

[Wizegui]

A GM car built in the mid nineties catching on fire! I'm shocked!
I know there are idiots out there who don't maintain their cars properly, but this looks pretty serious.

[thedguy]

The irony is that a lot of people like to shove these motors in Fiero's...

[Punisher Bass]

I'm curious as to why it doesn't effect the Park Avenue. I can only guess it's because mine has a different belt system and is mounted a bit differently.

[BlaRo]

Originally Posted by Spectre

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=87627

Wow...that's a creepy picture. You can even still make out the "3800" on the manifold.
It's like the automotive equivalent of Hostel.

[Labcoatguy]

Originally Posted by Punisher Bass

I'm curious as to why it doesn't effect the Park Avenue. I can only guess it's because mine has a different belt system and is mounted a bit differently.

The Regal GS people (linked in one of the forum posts by the Bonneville folks), after some impressive sleuthing, are pointing their fingers at nylon-wrapped fuel lines, so you may not be in the clear yet. Shame, really, 'cuz I wanted to pick up either a Regal GS or a supercharged Riviera in the near future.

[Punisher Bass]

Originally Posted by Labcoatguy

The Regal GS people (linked in one of the forum posts by the Bonneville folks), after some impressive sleuthing, are pointing their fingers at nylon-wrapped fuel lines, so you may not be in the clear yet. Shame, really, 'cuz I wanted to pick up either a Regal GS or a supercharged Riviera in the near future.

Well don't count one out just yet, it's not like a million of these things have gone up in flames, and there is a fix for this. The Series II has been in production for over 10 years now and far as I know this is the first issue they've really had.

[Spectre]

Originally Posted by Labcoatguy

The Regal GS people (linked in one of the forum posts by the Bonneville folks), after some impressive sleuthing, are pointing their fingers at nylon-wrapped fuel lines, so you may not be in the clear yet. Shame, really, 'cuz I wanted to pick up either a Regal GS or a supercharged Riviera in the near future.

GM was stupid enough to wrap their fuel hoses in low-temp nylon? BAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH

[Wizegui]

Originally Posted by Spectre

GM was stupid enough to wrap their fuel hoses in low-temp nylon? BAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH

In their defense, it probably saved them a few dollars here and there. I mean, it's cheaper even with the lawsuits.

[kaBOOMn]

Originally Posted by Spectre

GM was stupid enough to wrap their fuel hoses in low-temp nylon? BAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH

Least they wern't stupid enough to use use Lucas electronics......

Or how about Subaru with fuel lines running under the carpet? Or Honda with engine bay fires in the old V6 cars?

You can diss anybody, I mean anybody for this stuff.....

[Spectre]

Yeah, but Jaguar dumped all the firey stuff by 1995.

Here's GM, almost a decade later, still installing fire sources...

[thedguy]

Originally Posted by Spectre

Yeah, but Jaguar dumped all the firey stuff by 1995.

Here's GM, almost a decade later, still installing fire sources...

They were just feeling retro

[Spectre]

Heh, yeah. They were called the Fire-O for a reason...

[kaBOOMn]

Originally Posted by thedguy

They were just feeling retro

Hang on thats stupid. Any engine with next to no oil and high rpm will throw a rod and cause a fire.....This sounds like blaming their stupidity on GM.....

There is a common denominator here.....hang on....I'm thinking....oh wait its only a problem in America!

[Labcoatguy]

It's official:

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
BUICK / REGAL 1997-2003
PONTIAC / GRAND PRIX 1997-2003
Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Mfr's Report Date : MAR 12, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V118000
N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 207542
Summary:
GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.
Consequence:
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, FIRE MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL.
Remedy:
UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, 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.
Notes:
GM RECALL NO. 07035. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

So they're pointing their fingers at oil onto the exhaust manifold. Park Avenues are apparently safe, though.