Monte Carlo & Lumina Since the 1970s, the Monte Carlo has been an icon of American stock car racing. A 4-door version, the Lumina, was produced in the late 90's.
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Intake Manifold Explosion

Old Nov 11, 2015 | 9:15 PM
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Default 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.
Attached Thumbnails Intake Manifold Explosion-img_20151110_160138_01.jpg   Intake Manifold Explosion-img_20151110_160142_01.jpg   Intake Manifold Explosion-img_20151110_160145_01.jpg   Intake Manifold Explosion-img_20151110_192551.jpg   Intake Manifold Explosion-img_20151110_192746.jpg  

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Old Nov 21, 2015 | 9:18 AM
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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.

Last edited by tech2; Nov 21, 2015 at 9:31 AM.
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Old Jan 14, 2019 | 10:32 AM
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Default Malibu manifold exploded!

Originally Posted by LGLDSR
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.
just tried to jump my car and the manifold exploded into 10 pieces! Blew the oil cap off and everything, thank god no one was hurt but what the hell!!!

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Old Jan 14, 2019 | 12:27 PM
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did you have a crank no start condition...that can fill the manifold with raw fuel.
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Old Jan 14, 2019 | 2:09 PM
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Originally Posted by tech2
did you have a crank no start condition...that can fill the manifold with raw fuel.
don’t believe so, last time it ran was a few weeks back.went to start it and there was no power so assumed battery was dead. Went to jump it and on the first turn of the key is when it blew
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