Boy did you luck out!

What exactly does"backdating" mean?

Originally the heating was just 2 ducts from the engine fan straight into the heat exchangers and to the front of the car. Later they changed to a single duct from the engine fan into a heater blower, and from there through two ducts to the heat exchangers.

The original design is much "cleaner", and doesn't leave hoses snaking all over the engine bay. On the other hand, if the engine is at idle you get very little airflow and may disturb cops by revving at stop lights.

Backdating is taking out your heater blower and going to the older low-hose method. It makes the engine look better, and is easier to work on. Its not too expensive, and you can even pull off some very cheap backdates with some ingenuity and the right sort of saw. If you search this subforum you'll find lots of info on it.

:)

First thing is to determine the cause of the fire.

From the looks of the smoke pattern & the intact Plastic bits on the left side, it seems it began on the right side. There's not much in the way of a cause on that side except oil.

I have a C2 here that caught fire when it had just been removed from long term storage. The owner had it idling outside a Dunkin Donuts, and came out to find it ablaze. It began on the rt side where oil had dripped onto the heat exchanger and there just happened to be a mouse nest in the same location.

The owner got the fire out, or I should say the fire dept got it out, but only after a bit more damage as in busted out rear window and crispy paint over the rear deck & melted bits in the engine compt.

I daresay your incident is very minor. A good cleanup & some new plastic bits appears to only be needed.

You are extremely lucky it was not worse and you and your precious daughters were not hurt. Now your first incident is over, you can look forward to happier times. This cleanup is a good way to begin that close relationship with your Porsche that most of us Pelicans enjoy with ours.

The best to you & family, and welcome.

Len

:)

I have backdated heat on my 82 SC, an no problems up here in BC. For engine work you could try Jaokob's or Scan automotive both on the north shore. As far as paint goes, Corva would be my suggestion. I had an acquaintance whose 80 SC caught fire and di about 9K worth of damage, surprisingly ICBC paid to fix it.

here are before and after pictures backdated heat

before
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1351635312.jpg

after

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1351635363.jpg

Would a leak up at the the oil switch or engine thermostat cause that?

Hard to believe an oil leak would have caused that. I have oil leaking on my heat exchangers all the time. (don't ask). Of course I'm not driving an SC, so anything is possible I guess.

I had a vapor recovery line rubbing on my heat exchanger which finally wore through and ignited.

Probably a good idea to replace every rubber hose on the car.

Fire was on the wrong side for a 911, something other than fuel lines.
Bruce

It looks like it started around the compressor. It could be those the wires by the filter. I have backdated heat as well on my sc and it gives me lots of heat when I take the car out in the cold weather.

based on the smoke pattern maybe the compressor might have seized, remove the belt, repair the wiring and fire it up paying close attention around that area til the engine is warm.

Just wanted to re-quote this as it is very sound advice and the way to go.

Sorry for the second post but this is also VERY good advice. Buy them cheap at COSTCO and put them in the car. Just remember to secure them and don't forget to put them back in after you clean the interior. This has saved many a car.

From the looks of the burn patterns, it appears as though the fire started on the passenger side. Fuel line leak?

Being that fire was on a cold day in Canada, I'm thinking oil on heat exchangers wasn't it.

I'd guess a very fine fuel leak mist and stray ignition spark. Be advised that it is hard to see this fine mist and every precaution shoul be taken before engine is started. After it's running check plug wires for leaking voltage at night with lights off and a spray bottle of diluted salt water. The salt helps conductivity and will expose ignition shorts.

Had you recently filled the oil? oil change? looks like it started low on passenger side. Could enough spilled oil cause this type of fire? Glad it turned out as well as it did.

Looks to me it was an oil fire. I had one in the shop with that area cooked. The oil cooler was leaking onto the exaust.

Same fire location as my car, only I have/had plastic fuel lines and that caused a lot more damage. For me it was the wire harness to the starter that did it, rubbed in just the right place I guess started burning up the rear wall.