Going into new year with with a pretty "rough" start, had engine fire last night.

wild man · 07:19 AM

Just when the smoke out the tailpipe looked like it had cleared up, and I was pretty happy about with how the car was running, a couple hours later, the flames show their VERY ugly face! I was about 1/4 mile from home when I first noticed a problem. The A/F gauge suddenly went lean, and I couldn't figure out why. Then, as I was approaching my neighbor's house, I saw the reflections start dancing on the road surface next to the car (it was dark out). I said to myself, what the hell is that? But in the back of my mind, I knew, because it wasn't the first time that I've seen that particular sort of "light". And let me tell you, it isn't a pretty sight! Do I hear, "that sinking feeling"?

That's when the surreality kicked in, and I went into panic mode. As I was starting to come to a stop in from of the neighbor's house, I heard the whooof, and saw the flames coming out from under the hood, at the front and rear of it. I jumped out and ran around to the passenger side, to access the fire extinguisher, after popping the hood release. then I reached into the flames to release the latch at the front of the hood, and lifted it. As I unloaded the FE, I had the fire 99% out, as the FE went empty. But there was just a tiny bit of flame left under the intake manifold, at the rear, that started torching up pretty high again within a couple of seconds.

At that moment, I could hear the neighbor lady yelling from her house, asking me if i wanted her to call the FD. But in thinking that they'd never get there before the car was fully engulfed, I replied with, "do you have a fire extinguisher?" Se said, "he's getting it and coming out now". Then I said I was going to run to my house and grab the 2 that were there, in case the was he had didn't get it out. One is a powder (ABC) one about 5x the size of the size of the one that I emptied, and the other is a 25lb water one. On my way back with them, half expecting to see the car already engulfed, I rounded the bend to where I could see that the flames were out. So I eased up on my pace as I got back, before I dropped dead from a heart attack - I think I was on the verge.

When I got back to the car, he was already almost back into his house, when the fire truck that just happened to be very close by, due to attending a nearby parade, pulled up behind the car with lights flashing. And of course, then came the the cop cars, fire "police", and more flashing lights, which apparently my neighbor didn't want any part of.

Anyways, to sum it up, I owe my neighbor a new FE and buy him a drink (at the very least), for saving my car from being a total krispy kritter. Visible damage includes a now brown (and bubbly) paint job on the hood, melted and burnt plastic and rubber hoses and lines - more so at the rear of the engine, and most of the wires in the engine compartment are toast.

After completing my investigation, the cause was determined to be a failed fuel line, right where the hose clamp attaches it to the FPR. I switched back an forth between 2.5 and 3 bar FPRs a few times, in the last few days, trying to determine which one was the best to use with all of the new upgrades. I think that weakened the hose, where th clamp attaches, and then I probably tightened it too tight (in trying to avoid possible fuel leaks, no less). You can see where the reinforcement cords are "popped", right where the clamp is, on the FPR. I now have the answer as to why it went lean.

zedsn · 01-01-2011, 06:56 AM

That is too bad. sorry to hear this. Do you plan to rebuild the car?

Jrboulder · 01-01-2011, 07:03 AM

I'm sorry to hear that. It's too bad. I know a few people with 951 parts cars if you need wiring or other stuff I could point you in the right direction.

Jackson

carlege · 01-01-2011, 07:03 AM

Well damn. Sorry to hear this. When was the last time you replaced those fuel hoses?

wild man · 01-01-2011, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zedsn

That is too bad. sorry to hear this. Do you plan to rebuild the car?

Of course. I don't really see any other options. Got way too much into the car, and no comp on it. I'm open to used part offerings, in the way of plastic and rubber stuff, at the top and the rear (most notably) of the engine. I don't have the full list yet, as I'm not yet to the point where I am ready to go out and look at in the daylight yet. But I do know for sure that I will be needing 951 engine wiring.

wild man · 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlege

Well damn. Sorry to hear this. When was the last time you replaced those fuel hoses?

You might already suspect what the 1-word answer to that is! (let's just say that the first time will be coming soon)

wild man · 01-01-2011, 07:30 AM

Quick question, as I'm (mentally) preparing myself to go out and clean off the FE power that is all over the car, before the cold temps come back tomorrow:

Do I use compressed air, or should I take the pressure washer to it?

phoenix_iii · 01-03-2011, 07:42 PM

I don't think it will matter. Some serious work ahead of you. Good luck. Pics?

wild man · 01-05-2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoenix_iii

Pics?

Have a few, but can't UL them to the site (using FF4b8).

UPDATE: Upon further disassembly, I found that the cause was likely something OTHER than a fuel line. When I removed the 3bar FPR from the fuel rail, I saw that it probably didn't go in straight, and that one side of the o-ring was all chewed up. That's most likely where the fuel was leaking from.

Slam · 01-06-2011, 08:08 AM

I've been reading your posts, and, dude, if it wasn't for bad luck you wouldn't have any! Sorry to hear of your mishap, but like everyone else I'm waiting for the rebuild story!

wild man · 01-06-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slam

dude, if it wasn't for bad luck you wouldn't have any!

Yea, that seems to be my life story.

Anyways, the rebuild stories will come out, in good time. If fact, since you brought it up, I'm going over to the turbo forum and post something now.