Intake Manifold Explosion
 

Turned the key on my 2002 MC SS, V6, 3.8L, and the Intake Manifold exploded.

Anyone ever hear of the Intake Manifold Exploding on a GM V6, 3.8L? It sounded like a 12ga shotgun. Fortunately no one was looking into the engine compartment at the time as they likely would have been killed given the amount of shrapnel from this explosion. Note that the explosion was powerful enough to blow off the oil cap, which is screwed on with very thick threads.

The vehicle was at my mechanics at time and in his forty years he's not seen an intake manifold explode save for those residing on Top Fuel or Funny Cars.

Am advising NHTSA Chairman via USPS Restricted Delivery Mail (which, under Federal Law, can only be signed for by the Addressee which will ensure delivery to his direct and personal attention). Hoping this is not another attempt at GM trying to save a few cents (vis-a-vis The Ivey Memo where GM put the value of Human Life at just over two bucks, the Ignition Switch issue to save fifty-seven cents, et al).

Any input greatly appreciated.

Its rare. happened to a fellow tech using propane to find a vacuum leak. You probably had a backfire through the intake and a possible injector leaking down or flood condition.


every company uses plastic intakes now so I don't not know where you think you are going to go with this. They will just say there was a pre-existing problem left unrepaired for sometime (and this can be verified by reviewing freeze frame data. the manufacturer can view history that techs have no access to) and they would probably be right. This does not happen to properly functioning cars.


the ignition switch was overblown. Untrained drivers. A stalling engine does not equate to driving into a tree. Was it a problem that needed a fix...yes.

Malibu manifold exploded!
 

did you have a crank no start condition...that can fill the manifold with raw fuel.