Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 11:59:36 -0800
Reply-To: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Has anyone saved a burnt engine?
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
The question is,
has anyone who reads this list put back in service an engine that came from
a Vanagon that had a engine compartment fire?
I have such an engine and it after tearing it down to the case ,I have
discovered it is a brand new engine.
The Vanagon it came out of had an engine fire that was put out before it
could melt the plastic engine lid .
I think I have figured how the fire originated also.
It was human error- the installer may not have connected a hose or left the
brittle adaptor on the firewall, and gasoline leaked out. The engine was
running, the giniton wire melted all the way to the key, melting the
ignition switch and freezing the key in the on position.
The fire was quickly extinguished, both rear quarter windows were smashed
out and the also the rear hatch window.
The rear hatch was locked, so the lock and consequently the hatch was
damaged in order to open the hatch.
It looks like a fire department save, because a Vanagon mechanic would know
that smashing out the side windows would avail nothing)Or would he? Maybe
the installer wasn't a VW specialist.
Anyway, I have removed the engine and the burnt components. It looks like
the flames never touched the top engine surface. The head gaskets did'nt
burn. The engine was full of coolant.
No fire burnt under the engine, which is shiny new. It has a yellow engine
sticker that tells it was remanufactured at Cummins Canada. The sticker
did'nt burn.
The case scrubbed up to a new shiny metal. It was only smoked.
A lot melted plastic covered the top of the case.
I don't know at what temperature these plastics melt at, but I would guess
below 500 degrees, and the plastic would create an insulating barrier from
the heat above.
Also, at the base of a fire is a layer of air.
Since the engine case itself never ignited, but the components above it did,
the rubber intake boot for example, then this air layer would be even
greater, much like the air space below a fireplace grate.
I'm grateful fpor any comments on your experience or scientific
observations.
Thanks-
Robert K
1982 Westfalia
The alternator, AC comp, PS pump, airbox/afm, intake manifolds, injctors
/fuel rails, everything above the case was toasted.
But no to the point of total consumption, most of the burnt -melted
components were still recognizeable, except for the airbox, which melted and
the AFM, which melted also.
The engimne turns over readily, and there is no evidence of head gasket
leaks.
Any suggestions?
Robert
1982 Westfalia
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