I know we have a few people with this engine and some that did engine swaps as well. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an "engineering analysis," which is a preliminary form of investigation, into the susceptibility of the supercharged version of GM’s 3800 series 2 V-6 to fire. NHTSA has had 180 reports of these engines catching fire in circumstances not involving a collision. The engines were installed in the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, Buick Park Avenue, and Oldsmobile LSS between 1999 and 2002 model years.
The engineering analysis is not a recall. It is, however, the first step in the process which can, if a problem is found, lead to a recall.
Owners of vehicles who have experienced this problem and not previously reported it to NHTSA should do so.
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Hmm, nobody seems to be interested.
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i know about it and its not motor causing the issue directly
its the cheap plastic fuel lines , and the connections
dont know why 97-98 were left off the list
Interesting.
These aren't still being made are they?
no now its the 3800 series III
180 instances over 8 years? Thats about 22 a year... honestly, those arent REALLY bad odds... they have nothing on the Ford Exploders
I all my years around these cars, I do not know of anyone that has had this hapen to them.
What exactly is the difference between the 3800 n/a and 3800 s/c'd engines?

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They forgot to mention it is installed in some Chevy Cavaliers!
JoeyDaBomb wrote:What exactly is the difference between the 3800 n/a and 3800 s/c'd engines?
other than the big honking super charger on one of them
sorry had to be a smart ass lol
Craig, how much time do you spend over on the GP boards? i've read quite a few threads on there of peoples cars catching fire. the community was in a little bit of a panic before we figured out what the problem was and people went to fixing it.
ace, the majority of the fires started happening about two years ago from what we're gettin on clubgp. even 100 in two yeras is a lot. it takes time for cars to deteriorate enough for problems like this to arrise. just took time to see the problem.
'97 and '98 use different fuel line and fittings.
however, we've also had a problem with cracked o-rings around the injectors. doesnt cause as bad of fires, because as soon as the engine's off fuel stops being sent there, but it can cause a fire.
and joey, the differences consist of
engine)
pistons
head
intake
blower
crank pulley
extra belt tensioner
external)
fuel pump
fuel liines (mostly after connectors)
injectors
ummmmm, that's all i can think of now. too tired to dive into it.
Andy

it's not how fast you go, it's how you get there that counts.
ZZP XP cam, 1.6 rockers, 105# springs, speedbuilt FWI, 3.3" modular pulley, TOG headers,
3" exhaust, flomatched injectors
'97 GTP 14.06@100.6mph pre cam w/ 3.5" pulley, I/E
I should be a little more specific. I have heard of this issue and read about it a few times. I have not personally known of any one having this leak other than on a forum. That suprizes me considering the discussions about it on the net.
With my daily exposure to GM product, I would have guessed that I would have come accross at least one
direct situation involving this problem. I have much exposure to GM technicians as well. Nobody have ever mentioned it. HMM.
I looked over my engine just incase. But I'm not panicing.
i saw a gtp 00-03 at the junk yard a few weeks ago , and the whole engine compartment was crispy from a big fire , int and everything else was fine
but none of the local gtp guys i know have had it happen , but then alot of them would smell a fuel leak and investigate it , knowing fuel leak cause fires
which is my guess why you prob havent heard anyone directly have a issue with it craig
My uncle and a friend of mine had this problem. One lost his bonni the other lucked out and it was put out before it did any real damage.
I have the series II and never heard of the problem either, I even belong on club GP
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Ryan (1REDRY) wrote:I have the series II and never heard of the problem either, I even belong on club GP
there have been posts with guys having engine fires on their before , ive read them
not sure if it was for the injector o-rings or the fuel lines
Every time i go to the yard i see at least one new crispy 3800

i hope these people are reporting this.