GM recalling 1.4M cars; oil leaks can cause engine fires

[Express]

GM recalling 1.4M cars; oil leaks can cause engine fires


By TOM KRISHER, AP Auto Writer
28 October 2015



More than 1,300 cars caught fire after they were fixed by dealers, the company said.© Daniel Acker/Bloomberg/Getty Images


DETROIT — For the third time in seven years, General Motors is recalling cars that can leak oil and catch fire, in some instances damaging garages and homes.

The recall, which covers 1.4 million vehicles dating to the 1997 model year, is needed because repairs from the first two recalls didn't work. More than 1,300 cars caught fire after they were fixed by dealers, the company said.

In the previous recalls, in 2008 and 2009, GM told owners to park the cars outside until repairs can be made since most of the fires happened shortly after drivers turned off the engines. A spokesman was checking to see if the same recommendation applies this time.

U.S. safety regulators became aware of the fires in early 2007 and GM has since reported 19 minor related injuries. In 2008, a GM spokeswoman said the cars were responsible for 267 fires, including at least 17 that burned structures.

The latest recall, mainly in North America, includes: the 1997-2004 Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick Regal; the 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala; the 1998 and 1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue; and the 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. All have 3.8-liter V6 engines.

Over time, a valve cover gasket can degrade, allowing oil to seep out. Under hard braking, oil drops can fall onto the exhaust manifold and catch fire. Flames can spread to a plastic spark plug wire channel and the rest of the engine.

The problem first surfaced in 2007, when 21 consumer complaints about engine fires in some of the cars prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to investigate. That probe found three injuries. Most of the blazes happened five to 15 minutes after the engines were turned off, according to agency documents.

The investigation led to the recall in March 2008 of more than 200,000 U.S. cars with supercharged engines. A year later GM recalled almost 1.5 million more cars that weren't supercharged. Dealers replaced the spark plug wire channels but documents filed with the government don't mention any repair of the oil leaks.

GM hasn't come up with a final fix in the most recent recall, spokesman Alan Adler said. The company will use state registration databases in an effort to track down the owners, he said. The 1,300 fires were discovered when GM began investigating whether to recall some 2004 models, Adler said.

The recall is so large that it could have an impact on GM's fourth-quarter earnings, although Adler said that hasn't been determined.

"Since we have not decided on the remedy, we do not know whether the cost will result in a material charge to earnings," he said.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/compa...c&ocid=u220dhp

[russellw]

Responsible thing to do but to not have a fix after previous attempts is a bit alarming.

Cheers
Russ

[Kingsley]

Imagine the scale of the problem if they went back as far the early 70's!!! The early M20/M21 gearboxes didn't have an oil seal on the front shaft. Park one on a decent incline and watch the oil flow!!!

[Trump]

Wait, 3.8L V6 engines... this pearler of an engine?

[vztrt]

Come on guys this is just so they can get more business through their dealership!!

[mik]

You would think it would not be too hard to fix a tappet cover leak.

[Road_Warrior]

How come csv8 didnt post this thread?

[blue sleeper]

Ahem....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6IZ2TroruU

[Express]

Originally Posted by blue sleeper

Ahem....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6IZ2TroruU

That's hilarious.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by blue sleeper

Ahem....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6IZ2TroruU

Monty Python lives !!

[mik]

Originally Posted by Express

That's hilarious.

indeed , hilarious , but also a bit sad if GM actually did that with the banned words thing,
If GM`s own employees actually use those words about their cars.................. then surely management should get a clue ........they need to make their cars a bit better .

Note to self .....not buying GM product !

[Express]

Originally Posted by mik

Note to self .....not buying GM product !

I wouldn’t worry or get too hung up on GM’s failings as there are skeletons in many to almost every manufacturer’s closet and I’m not just referring to the car guys.

The bigger they are the bigger the effort to conceal, avoid or not admit liability.

Some companies are under a constant microscope and get caught out while the majority get away with cover ups, incompetence or just plain crap product.

When your mistakes have the potential to pose a huge safety risk for the consumers a company like GM is like a rabbit stuck in the glare of the oncoming headlights for the authorities who are trying to catch them out.

When caught they pay a hefty penalty but they still go on to conceal again another day.

There have been a lot of big recalls in recent years spread over a variety of car manufacturers which makes me believe the screws are being tightened on them to start performing or pay a penalty.

Which is good for the consumer but I’d be hesitant to say it has any real long term impact on sales.

A lot of consumers get around with their heads in the sand and that works perfectly for companies like Toyota, Jeep, VW and feel free to add to the list.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Express

I wouldn’t worry or get too hung up on GM’s failings as there are skeletons in many to almost every manufacturer’s closet and I’m not just referring to the car guys.

The bigger they are the bigger the effort to conceal, avoid or not admit liability.

Some companies are under a constant microscope and get caught out while the majority get away with cover ups, incompetence or just plain crap product.

When your mistakes have the potential to pose a huge safety risk for the consumers a company like GM is like a rabbit stuck in the glare of the oncoming headlights for the authorities who are trying to catch them out.

When caught they pay a hefty penalty but they still go on to conceal again another day.

There have been a lot of big recalls in recent years spread over a variety of car manufacturers which makes me believe the screws are being tightened on them to start performing or pay a penalty.

Which is good for the consumer but I’d be hesitant to say it has any real long term impact on sales.

A lot of consumers get around with their heads in the sand and that works perfectly for companies like Toyota, Jeep, VW and feel free to add to the list.

indeed , and some do appear to have an awful lot more skeletons in the closet.