Ok, just what I don't need
Apparently, 1999 - 2002 Grand Prix GTPs have been having engine fire problems. I drive a 2001. But the engine is from a 2003, so I'm ok, right? Right?
Actually, I think I know what this is about. I recall having a leak at one point on the fuel return line on my '97 Grand Prix that soaked into the engine cover's foam backing. The leak was directly over the supercharger. It caused fuel to pool in a divet on the supercharger, and soak up into the foam-backed plastic engine cover. I can see that causing engine fires if the fuel leaked faster than it evaporated for a long enough period of time. In fact, I had that particular leak fixed ASAP when I noticed it. It didn't happen until around 140K miles or so.
My current engine has no engine cover on it, and the fuel rails are raised from their normal position to accomodate the intercooler under the supercharger. Furthermore, this engine has around 30K miles on it. I'm not actually worried at all.
Edit: I was pretty much right. Apparently, the o-rings on the fuel rails and injectors during the affected range of years were made of rubber that tends to dry out, allowing high-pressure fuel to spray out, potentially landing on the rear exhaust manifold resulting in a fire. You'd think they'd've learned from the Challenger.
Actually, I think I know what this is about. I recall having a leak at one point on the fuel return line on my '97 Grand Prix that soaked into the engine cover's foam backing. The leak was directly over the supercharger. It caused fuel to pool in a divet on the supercharger, and soak up into the foam-backed plastic engine cover. I can see that causing engine fires if the fuel leaked faster than it evaporated for a long enough period of time. In fact, I had that particular leak fixed ASAP when I noticed it. It didn't happen until around 140K miles or so.
My current engine has no engine cover on it, and the fuel rails are raised from their normal position to accomodate the intercooler under the supercharger. Furthermore, this engine has around 30K miles on it. I'm not actually worried at all.
Edit: I was pretty much right. Apparently, the o-rings on the fuel rails and injectors during the affected range of years were made of rubber that tends to dry out, allowing high-pressure fuel to spray out, potentially landing on the rear exhaust manifold resulting in a fire. You'd think they'd've learned from the Challenger.