Did...did he try to BLOW OUT the fire?

Imagine sitting in the Jiffy Lube waiting room, idly flipping through an old copy of Motor Trends, wondering if the guys are done yet and glancing over to watch that happen.

Those 3800s are known for engine fires, but IIRC it's usually external oil or fuel leaks that cause them. It looks like the engine backfired and blew the (plastic) upper intake manifold apart on this one...the fact that the car was in for an oil change at the time was probably just a fluke (unless they had done plugs at the same time and switched the wires around, or something like that).

ABQGOD: Imagine sitting in the Jiffy Lube waiting room, idly flipping through an old copy of Motor Trends, wondering if the guys are done yet and glancing over to watch that happen.

The Aurora Borealis? At this time of year?
At this time of day? In this part of the country?
Localized entirely within my Impala?

Loaf's Tray: Those 3800s are known for engine fires, but IIRC it's usually external oil or fuel leaks that cause them. It looks like the engine backfired and blew the (plastic) upper intake manifold apart on this one...the fact that the car was in for an oil change at the time was probably just a fluke (unless they had done plugs at the same time and switched the wires around, or something like that).

So you're playing the part of the manager trying to deflect the blame?

Oh and the lights on the vehicle are still on, so that means the electrical system is energized and could contribute to the fire, good work guys.

/always pull the keys
//if the initial explosion starts a fuel leak, don't have electric system on and capable of contributing a spark to restart the fire

Loaf's Tray: Those 3800s are known for engine fires, but IIRC it's usually external oil or fuel leaks that cause them. It looks like the engine backfired and blew the (plastic) upper intake manifold apart on this one...the fact that the car was in for an oil change at the time was probably just a fluke (unless they had done plugs at the same time and switched the wires around, or something like that).

The big 3800 recall was hard braking could in some cases throw oil onto the exhaust manifold, then it gets beneath the heat shield and into the spark plug wire channel. Two new retainers were fitted to prevent this in the '09 recall.

I find myself wondering if earlier on in the change (prior to the footage we get) someone spilled a bunch of oil. The tech wipes it with a rag, but meanwhile a bunch somehow gets down and into the wire channel. Perhaps this one hadn't had the recall work done, or enough oil was spilled to swamp the retainers.

Herb_the_betta: Loaf's Tray: Those 3800s are known for engine fires, but IIRC it's usually external oil or fuel leaks that cause them. It looks like the engine backfired and blew the (plastic) upper intake manifold apart on this one...the fact that the car was in for an oil change at the time was probably just a fluke (unless they had done plugs at the same time and switched the wires around, or something like that).

So you're playing the part of the manager trying to deflect the blame?

Trying to genuinely understand what happened, is all; that's not just a fire, that's a (very small) explosion - NOTHING relating to an oil change could possibly have caused that, so SOME other factor (whether at the hands of these 'tards or not) was in play.

obviously the flux capacitor was leaking

Sweet mother of internal combustion that was awesome. Do it again!

Herb_the_betta: Loaf's Tray: Those 3800s are known for engine fires, but IIRC it's usually external oil or fuel leaks that cause them. It looks like the engine backfired and blew the (plastic) upper intake manifold apart on this one...the fact that the car was in for an oil change at the time was probably just a fluke (unless they had done plugs at the same time and switched the wires around, or something like that).

So you're playing the part of the manager trying to deflect the blame?

Go back to consumerist. What he said is a real problem. But I'm wondering if they did one of their fuel system cleanings and well farked up.

It's that new synthetic light weight oil, gasoline...

Related story- in 2008 or 2009 (forget which) my parents got a brand new Camry. The car works great for a month or two and before you know it the car needed it's FIRST oil changed. For some reason, I was around their house that day and was volunteered.

I went on down to Wally World, and on the way back I noticed the oil pressure light comes on. Of course that's a SHTF moment, but with heavy traffic and the road I was on, I wasn't able to safely pull over for about 30-45 seconds. It turned out that the oil filter had fallen off the bottom of the car in transit and the engine lost all lubrication immediately. In that short period of time the engine went from brand new with 3000 miles on it to a fused block of metal.

They ended up taking responsibility and admitting fault, and the dealership charged them (I think) around $6000 for an entirely new engine.

Fubini: Related story- in 2008 or 2009 (forget which) my parents got a brand new Camry. The car works great for a month or two and before you know it the car needed it's FIRST oil changed. For some reason, I was around their house that day and was volunteered.

I went on down to Wally World, and on the way back I noticed the oil pressure light comes on. Of course that's a SHTF moment, but with heavy traffic and the road I was on, I wasn't able to safely pull over for about 30-45 seconds. It turned out that the oil filter had fallen off the bottom of the car in transit and the engine lost all lubrication immediately. In that short period of time the engine went from brand new with 3000 miles on it to a fused block of metal.

They ended up taking responsibility and admitting fault, and the dealership charged them (I think) around $6000 for an entirely new engine.

Stuff like this happens surprisingly often (maybe not a seized engine, but a dealer service center managing to screw up a simple procedure like oil or tire changes). It's doubly frustrating because the dealer is supposed to be the ultimate in "correct", factory-approved care, but in reality the old-timer around the corner who's flummoxed by anything without a carburetor (but pays reasonable attention to detail and is actually mechanically inclined) does a better job at a third of the cost.

I used to have an Impala and am pretty sure there was a recall issued for possible engine fires. This has nothing to do with the oil change.

We used to have a '95 Fleetwood - big, fast, stable and comfy - one of our favorite cars ever.

My wife brought it to the dealer (farking southwest F-L-A) for a couple hundred dollars of routine maintenance. As she sat in the waiting room, she heard a very large crash, and a lot of commotion and discussion in the service manager's office.

She noticed them glancing at her a few times, and that's when she got nervous.

It turns out the car fell from the lift from full elevation. The rear hit the ground first, then the front came off and both front fenders caught on the lift pads on the way down, and ripped the fenders up and out. From the rear window to the bumper was bent such that the car now looked like a big red banana with wings.

They were eager to assure her that the mechanic was o.k., though. She said she doesn't give a shiat, and asked what they are going to do about her car.

They made good.

IvanItch: They were eager to assure her that the mechanic was o.k., though. She said she doesn't give a shiat,

What a nice wife you have.

bonefish: Herb_the_betta: Loaf's Tray: Those 3800s are known for engine fires, but IIRC it's usually external oil or fuel leaks that cause them. It looks like the engine backfired and blew the (plastic) upper intake manifold apart on this one...the fact that the car was in for an oil change at the time was probably just a fluke (unless they had done plugs at the same time and switched the wires around, or something like that).

So you're playing the part of the manager trying to deflect the blame?

Go back to consumerist. What he said is a real problem. But I'm wondering if they did one of their fuel system cleanings and well farked up.

Not saying he's incorrect, but if you're the guy that owned that car, and it's started hundreds (or thousands) of times without any problems, and suddenly it's in flames after getting some routine maintenance done, you're not going to accept any explanation other than incompetence on their part.

/hate Jiffy Lube
//told me my air filter was well beyond its useful life 5 days after I changed it myself
///first and last time I went

D-D-D-Dave: ABQGOD: Imagine sitting in the Jiffy Lube waiting room, idly flipping through an old copy of Motor Trends, wondering if the guys are done yet and glancing over to watch that happen.

The Aurora Borealis? At this time of year?
At this time of day? In this part of the country?
Localized entirely within my Impala?

May I see it?

Rhames: D-D-D-Dave: ABQGOD: Imagine sitting in the Jiffy Lube waiting room, idly flipping through an old copy of Motor Trends, wondering if the guys are done yet and glancing over to watch that happen.

The Aurora Borealis? At this time of year?
At this time of day? In this part of the country?
Localized entirely within my Impala?

May I see it?

Endive Wombat: Fubini: They ended up taking responsibility and admitting fault, and the dealership charged them (I think) around $6000 for an entirely new engine.

Wait...your parents took responsibility for damaging the engine?

No, Wal-Mart took responsibility. Pretty much without a fight, too, if I recall correctly. The store's attitude was more or less, "We're not going to volunteer to pay for this, but if you want us to then that's what our insurance is for."

i blame that dude dropping potato chip grease on it.

Calling someone who works at a Jiffy Lube type oil change place a mechanic is like calling the guy who cooks the fries at McDonalds a chef.

That looked like gasoline buring to me. If you look closely you can see where the fire looks like it is coming out of the intake. I dont have any experience with the 3800 so i dont know how it is situated under that cover that blew off. Typically if you swap around the plug wires the car wont even start because you wont have proper ignition conditions.
It is possible that the wires were switched and there was some fuel in the cylinder while the intake valve was open and the spark ignited the fuel which then blew back up the intake valve and blew the top open. The way the fire was pouring out of there it looked like the fuel rail got broken in the explosion. The dumb dumb baby that started the car probably didn't turn the key back off so the fuel pump would keep pushing fuel up to the motor.
Oil doesn't typically explode like that when ignited, it just burns. Gasoline vapors are pretty explosive however.

Herb_the_betta: bonefish: Herb_the_betta: Loaf's Tray: Those 3800s are known for engine fires, but IIRC it's usually external oil or fuel leaks that cause them. It looks like the engine backfired and blew the (plastic) upper intake manifold apart on this one...the fact that the car was in for an oil change at the time was probably just a fluke (unless they had done plugs at the same time and switched the wires around, or something like that).

So you're playing the part of the manager trying to deflect the blame?

Go back to consumerist. What he said is a real problem. But I'm wondering if they did one of their fuel system cleanings and well farked up.

Not saying he's incorrect, but if you're the guy that owned that car, and it's started hundreds (or thousands) of times without any problems, and suddenly it's in flames after getting some routine maintenance done, you're not going to accept any explanation other than incompetence on their part.

/hate Jiffy Lube
//told me my air filter was well beyond its useful life 5 days after I changed it myself
///first and last time I went

One of the things that I dislike about Jiffy Lube is that they check the oil level as soon as they bring the vehicle in, then give you the written report that says something like "1/2 quart low", because they didn't follow the mfg's procedure to check it. Lots of folks leave there thinking, "I'm losing oil, I better get it changed even more often."

Watching the slow reaction to the fire in the video, I was reminded of what a firefighter friend told me, "In case of emergency, subtract 20 IQ points." I'm not sure the average Jiffy Lube employee can spare that many.

In defense of Jiffy Lube, I don't think that wa a Jiffy Lube.

All the Jiffy Lubes I've seen have a time saving, cost saving, space saving, two story basement work area arrangement.

Beyond that, I think this place hasn't thought though where the best places for a fire extinguisher are.

Gough: Herb_the_betta: bonefish: Herb_the_betta: Loaf's Tray:
/hate Jiffy Lube
//told me my air filter was well beyond its useful life 5 days after I changed it myself
///first and last time I went

One of the things that I dislike about Jiffy Lube is that they check the oil level as soon as they bring the vehicle in, then give you the written report that says something like "1/2 quart low", because they didn't follow the mfg's procedure to check it. Lots of folks leave there thinking, "I'm losing oil, I better get it changed even more often."

Watching the slow reaction to the fire in the video, I was reminded of what a firefighter friend told me, "In case of emergency, subtract 20 IQ points." I'm not sure the average Jiffy Lube employee can spare that many.

Those quick lube places make a lot of money on the uneducated. The first and only time I went to one they called and told me "you have a magnetic drain plug and there were some metal shavings on it so we reccommend a full system flush for $X"
- No. I would be more worried if there WEREN'T metal shavings on the drain plug
"Also we opened up your rear differential and it was BONE dry. We can fix that for $X"
- No because you already have it open so just squirt a $4 bottle of gear lube in there.
I took the fill cap off the rear differential and fluid started leaking out because it was full.

Always turn down all "add-on" services from a quick lube. They dont make much money on their $29 oil changes.

Almost 8 years ago I changed the oil in my girlfriends car. She had gotten it done previously at one of the quick lube places and got soaked for like $40. So I get under there and go to pull the drain plug out. Won't budge. Pull harder, still nothing. Grab an extension bar and pull, still nothing. At this point I'm afraid of breaking the stud off but I was in for the fight. So I turned the car on to warm the engine and oil pan to expand the pan. Grabbed some freeze spray to hit the stud. Pulled on it with the wrench and extension bar, still nothing. I ended up grabbing the pneumatic impact gun because that thing was not ever going to come lose via manual power and prayed that I didn't snap the plug. It finally came out and I started to drain the (now scalding hot) oil.

I geared myself up to tackle the oil filter figuring some he-man put that sucker on too. When I wiped the road crud off the filter with a rag the filter came undone. No torque applied to it at all. It was that lose. I almost shiat my pants over how surprised I was this car made it 4,500 miles with an oil filter that was just barely holding a seal.

/It was a Ford Aerostar and definitely needed to be put down at that point.
// Sucker burned about 2 quarts of oil a month.

fake.

Fubini: Related story- in 2008 or 2009 (forget which) my parents got a brand new Camry. The car works great for a month or two and before you know it the car needed it's FIRST oil changed. For some reason, I was around their house that day and was volunteered.

I went on down to Wally World, and on the way back I noticed the oil pressure light comes on. Of course that's a SHTF moment, but with heavy traffic and the road I was on, I wasn't able to safely pull over for about 30-45 seconds. It turned out that the oil filter had fallen off the bottom of the car in transit and the engine lost all lubrication immediately. In that short period of time the engine went from brand new with 3000 miles on it to a fused block of metal.

They ended up taking responsibility and admitting fault, and the dealership charged them (I think) around $6000 for an entirely new engine.

The first and only time I ever took my car to them for an oil change, they double-gasketed the filter.

/Never again.

"Sorry, Lady, but if you read the small print on the waiver you signed before we did the oil change, we are NOT RESPONSIBLE for anything here. So get your car off our property, please. Oh, and that will be $44, plus sixty dollars Fire Extinguishing Services."

RoyBatty: Beyond that, I think this place hasn't thought though where the best places for a fire extinguisher are.

True enough, but I was mildly impressed the one guy zipped over to it as fast as he could as soon as he saw the flame. The other guy had more of a "Well, that's not supposed to be there, is it?" mentality. If either of them got fired over the incident, it's a sure bet the fire extinguisher guy wasn't it.

Scruffinator: True enough, but I was mildly impressed the one guy zipped over to it as fast as he could as soon as he saw the flame.

Yes, I assumed until he came back that he had just run away.

Loaf's Tray: Those 3800s are known for engine fires, but IIRC it's usually external oil or fuel leaks that cause them. .

Why is everyone saying this is a 3800 engine? Doesn't look like it to me.. my car has a 3800 and it's much larger than the one seen here.

According to a guy on liveleak:

Fuel system backfire. They probably just did an injector cleaning and spilled the fluid all over trying to take it off. Their was a puddle around the air intake.

Ed Finnerty: LoneVVolf: It's that new synthetic light weight oil, gasoline...

And ball bearings. Everything's ball bearings nowadays.


You should see my shoes.

If your going to blame me for putting the wrong oil in, your wrong, I used 10W30.. Besides, oil would have nothing to do with this!
True! But you can't latch the hood too well if you don't take the can out you no selling waste of space!

Smagma: Why is everyone saying this is a 3800 engine?

It's a bullshiat question.

RoyBatty: Smagma: Why is everyone saying this is a 3800 engine?

It's a bullshiat question.

Okay.. what does that mean..

It all looked pretty cromulant to me except the part where the guy with the potato chips leaves and comes back with a fire extinguisher but he isn't holding the bag with his teeth so he can operate hands free.

Now I looked at again and it looks like a different guy altogether. If the guy with the chips still held his bag I have to concede; no points lost.

I worked with a guy that put out a machine that was on fire and the owner was pissed off because the fire extinguisher needed to be recharged. At first we we were all like what the... but it did turn into funny pretty quick.

the 3.4L V6
and the 3.8L v6 (SERIES 2)
are horrible engines.
(cheap-ass plastic intake manifold gaskets breaking causing coolant to get into the cylinders causing massive engine failure, etc.)
STAY AWAY from any GM vehicle with any of those engines in it.

the 1985 - 1992 3.8L Series 1 v6 was a way better engine.

Smagma: RoyBatty: Smagma: Why is everyone saying this is a 3800 engine?

It's a bullshiat question.

Okay.. what does that mean..

"It's a bullshiat question. It's a bullshiat question. It's a trick question. No one could answer it"

Best movie of 1992.

Sorry.

Third_Uncle_Eno: the 3.4L V6
and the 3.8L v6 (SERIES 2)
are horrible engines.
(cheap-ass plastic intake manifold gaskets breaking causing coolant to get into the cylinders causing massive engine failure, etc.)
STAY AWAY from any GM vehicle with any of those engines in it.

the 1985 - 1992 3.8L Series 1 v6 was a way better engine.

I guess it depends who you ask.. I've been told the 3800 S2 engine is the best GM has ever made.

From a subjective perspective, my 2000 grand prix gtp has a supercharged 3.8L Series 2 -- IT HAS OVER 210,000 MILES -- and I've never had any engine problems.. runs like brand new. (haven't had any major issues on that car yet, actually).

RoyBatty:

Best movie of 1992.

Sorry.

Oh, that explains it.

jackbooty: Calling someone who works at a Jiffy Lube type oil change place a mechanic is like calling the guy who cooks the fries at McDonalds a chef.

Pretty much this. I'm an IT guy who knows just enough about cars to be dangerous - in other words, I can pop the hood and get to the guts of a car. I look like a monkey doing a math problem when I'm under the damn hood, and I admit it.

I can still manage to do an oil change without lighting the car on fire.