Car Fire Recall - '97-'03 Regal GS & Grand Prix GTP

[Brad97GS]

http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/14/news/companies/gm_recall.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008031412

Well, the news came four years too late for me, but I saw today that GM is recalling the Regal GS & GP GTP because of underhood fires. This happened to my old '97 Regal GS almost exactly four years ago (it was March 16, 2004). GM is recommending that these owners do not park in garages until the fix is completed....though I did not actually park in a garage that day, the effect was still felt...

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l74/bradiodadio/Regal%20Fire/119e-1.jpg
My fiancee's (then girlfriend) parents' garage and Subaru Impreza (left) caught in the blaze.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l74/bradiodadio/Regal%20Fire/235e.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l74/bradiodadio/Regal%20Fire/746c-1.jpg
The interior of her parents' Impreza.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l74/bradiodadio/Regal%20Fire/4463-1.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l74/bradiodadio/Regal%20Fire/5182.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l74/bradiodadio/Regal%20Fire/ea05-1.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l74/bradiodadio/Regal%20Fire/e82b.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l74/bradiodadio/Regal%20Fire/26b6-1.jpg

[Matt95GT]

I knew there must have been a pattern... I know I saw at least 2 (or was it 3) 3800 SC vehicles in the last junkyard trip... all with engine fires. I'm wondering the exact cause... I assume the oil comes somewhere from the front valve cover/PCV system. Still shouldn't be getting out of covers and hoses though. Either way... design flaws like that aren't cool. Yet another GM recall that relates to fires (like the pre-99 GAignition switch)

I think GM owes you whatever your comprehensive deductible is for that mess.

[Brad97GS]

I knew there must have been a pattern... I know I saw at least 2 (or was it 3) 3800 SC vehicles in the last junkyard trip... all with engine fires. I'm wondering the exact cause... I assume the oil comes somewhere from the front valve cover/PCV system. Still shouldn't be getting out of covers and hoses though. Either way... design flaws like that aren't cool. Yet another GM recall that relates to fires (like the pre-99 GAignition switch)

I think GM owes you whatever your comprehensive deductible is for that mess.

From what I've read, they think the oil leaks out of the front valve cover (which tend to leak), and then, during a hard braking, oil gets splashed onto the manifold and goes underneath the heat shield. There it sits and smolders until it catches on something else (the plastic shield for spark plug wires perhaps?), and then all hell breaks loose. The typical engine fire on these cars happens 5 to 10 minutes after the car is shut off, which is exactly what happened to mine. The plastic engine cover on top doesn't help matters...

They also think that it just involves the supercharged versions because there is more heat under the hood - just enough to make that smoldering oil into flaming oil. Of course, there are a lot of things under the hood that can cause fires, so it's possible that they aren't correct in their assessment.

It would be great if GM offered to pay my deductible, but I doubt that will happen. I know they will pay for a repair if you've had the valve cover gasket replaced recently, but I haven't seen anything yet about compensation to owners that lost their cars.

[Silversmok3]

Whoa.Even though it happened 4 years ago,im sorry to see that.Its a good thing that all that was lost was property and not lives.I agree with Matts:GMs mistake could have killed you and your wifes family.What if you parked in front of or next to a natural gas line? No disrespect intended to any 3800 owners,but I dont even want to park next to an SC'd 3800 car after seeing the damage.

[Brad97GS]

Apparently GM doesn't realize I lost the car to a fire. I received a pre-recall notice for it yesterday. :lol:

I sometimes wonder what would have happened if it had caught fire in a parking garage. I imagine it would catch several cars on fire before anyone could get to it...

[95blackz26]

theres 4 of these bbq cars in the yard i go to. 3 gp's and one buick all sc'ed.

[GMFWDFAN]

It's not just the supercharged 3800s that go up. The n/a 3800s do too. I've seen several toasted Intrigues and base Regals. There was even a town in Florida that had several of its Impala cop cars catch on fire!

[99GrandAMSE]

... I would go backwards and ask them to cover anything you lost Brad, what have you got to lose by asking? :)

[Matt95GT]

Apparently GM doesn't realize I lost the car to a fire. I received a pre-recall notice for it yesterday. :lol:


That's funny yet angering at the same time. I'd be tempted to send it back with your pictures and a "you're 4 years too late. How about reimbursing my the insurance deductibles since you cannot repair it now." letter.

... I would go backwards and ask them to cover anything you lost Brad, what have you got to lose by asking? :)

While I'm not the type to litigate... I'm sure this would be an easy case for a competent lawyer. Probably isn't worth the effort though.

[Brad97GS]

I didn't really lose much, other than the car (which was covered by insurance). I did lose a CD...but for the most part, things weren't damaged since the fire was held to the engine bay. Of course, Progressive low-balled me on the value of the car (and low-balled Tracy's parents on repairs to the garage), but I blame Progressive for that more than GM. As an aside, I got more for my '95 Riviera in 2007 (with State Farm insurance) than I got for my '97 Regal in 2004 (with Progressive).

I still do like Matt's suggestion of asking for the deductible from GM (I can certainly send them pictures of the aftermath!). Hmmm...I should run a Carfax for the Regal sometime and see what shows up...