Car burning... Sound insulation started burning... Cause?

borisschaefer · 08-08-2012, 09:55 AM

Hi,

ok, yesterday I put a 3.2 exhaust system on my 82SC. Drove it today for 50 miles. When I come back I notice smoke coming out of the vents. I park it in the driveway go in and 5 min later I see the thing smoking like crazy. I empty 2 fire extinguishers and still see a flame. So I call 911 and the FD put the fire out. They rip my complete back interior out and found out that mostly the sound insulation and the carpets were burning.

The engine seams to be fine... I will try to fire it up tonight... Now, what could that be? Could it be that the Cat got too hot and distributed the heat inside?? Any ideas?

Anyone an idea if my homeowners insurance covers a car fire if it happens on my property?

Thanks,

Boris

timmy2 · timmy2's Garage

Interior fire? Sounds almost as though some wiring shorted out.
Do you carry an additional rider for insurance
That goes beyond home owner's? Good to have.

911Freak · 08-08-2012, 10:35 AM

So you saw it smoking from the interior dash vents? Then walked away and went inside the house while it was Still smoking?

Post pics of your 3.2 exhaust set up from under the engine, the cat is farther back than the rear seat location, closer to your drivers side rear wheel. Don't think the cat is the cause.

But, you could have the cross over pipe touching something or more likely some wiring got hot by shorting on?

Need more info and pics...

Btw - nice save of a clean SC! Er, well it was clean

Would have been a real shame for it to burn to the ground!!

tirwin · tirwin's Garage

What kind of extinguishers did you use?

+1 on posting more pics.

borisschaefer · 11:35 AM

[QUOTE=911Freak;6900576]So you saw it smoking from the interior dash vents? Then walked away and went inside the house while it was Still smoking?

QUOTE]
Well yes, I was sure that this smoke was the burn off from the new heat exchangers... It was minor smoke coming out. I had the same thing on another car with an oil leaks. So I was not too concerned...

Good news: I just reconnected the battery to close the windows and the sunroof. I also tried for a second, and the engine is cranking...

)) So might not be too bad after all...

But that is how it looks inside now

(

borisschaefer · 08-08-2012, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tirwin

What kind of extinguishers did you use?

These:

borisschaefer · 08-08-2012, 11:18 AM

More pics:

Does that help?

tirwin · tirwin's Garage

Well certainly hope things turn out for the best!

I had my interior out recently but I did not take the factory sound pad out of the back seat. But that stuff is some kind of fiber material -- not sure what exactly -- but if heat, or a short or a flame could move from the engine compartment to that stuff, I could definitely see where it could smolder and start a fire.

In my '83 with auto-heat, there is a wire the runs from the center console by the e-brake back through the rear seat on the driver's side. Not sure where exactly it goes through there, but that is one source. The other hole from the rear seat is at the base of the rear window where the defroster lines connect from the window near the fuse panel and the CDI on the driver's side.

Just to be clear, did you see the flames in the engine compartment, the rear seat or both?

borisschaefer · 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tirwin

Just to be clear, did you see the flames in the engine compartment, the rear seat or both?

I saw lots of smoke coming through the grill and from under the rear left fender. I open the hood and see lots of smoke. I blow the extinguishers where the smoke is coming from till empty. I still see smoke. I see a small flame inside the engine compartment on the top far left. See photo below. That is when I thought calling 911 might be a good idea... And they were here like 3 minutes later. Bless them!

But now, the only burn marks I can see are on the insulation stuff...

911Freak · 08-08-2012, 12:12 PM

Did you use any type of "gasket sealant" on the muffler, cat and heat exchangers when you installed them recently?

I ask because in the picture you posted that shows the Cat to muffler connection it looks like orange gasket sealant....

I would think some types of gasket sealant on the cat 'could' ignite and start a fire....

Just wondering what the orange stuff is between the cat and muffler flange...

borisschaefer · 08-08-2012, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911Freak

Did you use any type of "gasket sealant" on the muffler, cat and heat exchangers when you installed them recently?

I ask because in the picture you posted that shows the Cat to muffler connection it looks like orange gasket sealant....

I would think some types of gasket sealant on the cat 'could' ignite and start a fire....

Just wondering what the orange stuff is between the cat and muffler flange...

Yes, that is gasket sealant. But non flamable. I inspected it and it is still all nice and orange...

We will get it on a lift next week and will see what is going on.

Here is another firedepartment photo. I kind of think they are cool and add to the history of the car...

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

I would drop the motor and inspect all the fuel lines,vacuum lines and wiring before i'd drive it again.

borisschaefer · 08-08-2012, 07:02 PM

Yes, that is what we are going to do. Too scary otherwise...

SCadaddle · 08-08-2012, 07:06 PM

This probably won't help with the issue at hand, but it appears your engine sump plate is 90 degrees out of position.

tirwin · tirwin's Garage

I was asking about the extinguishers because that stuff can be a mess to clean up -- it leaves residue behind. Good thing you had them handy though. I suspect once you drop the engine and see the backside of it you will get some answers.

borisschaefer · 08-08-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

This probably won't help with the issue at hand, but it appears your engine sump plate is 90 degrees out of position.

Ok, thanks. Do you think this might cause any issues?

steely · 08-08-2012, 08:25 PM

+1 on the fuel line inspection.

If they weren't bad to begin with (and they could have been the cause), they certainly are now.
Real glad you got it when you did.

Don't ask your insurance guy if you don't know your homeowners coverage - ask a public adjuster - just an opinion.

E Sully · E Sully's Garage

I questioned my insurance agent about that a few years ago. Automobiles are not covered under homeowners. Only damage to the property, car needs it's own coverage.

toddu · 08-09-2012, 05:57 AM

If you had ever thought of putting in a light weight interior, you saved yourself a bunch of time trying to remove the factory sound deadening. :-).

Seriously though, glad everyone (and for the most part the car) was ok.

Todd

borisschaefer · 08-09-2012, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddu

If you had ever thought of putting in a light weight interior, you saved yourself a bunch of time trying to remove the factory sound deadening. :-).

Seriously though, glad everyone (and for the most part the car) was ok.

Todd

That is funny. Sehr lustig! I am actually curious to hear it without the sound insulation...