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Date:         Sun, 16 Dec 2012 19:26:40 -0800
Reply-To:     Stacy Schneider <vwcrewman@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stacy Schneider <vwcrewman@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Fire!
Comments: To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CAHTkEu+E0q_rzs+xmhyToNaku6FQb0Ss8tT9wuo2JVUW4W67gg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I was at shop having my front axle replaced ,while waiting for a lift to clear ,there was a mechanic trying to start a Vanagon that had stalled . I was watching him a there was smoke coming from the vents , at first I thought it was steam . As I watched the smoke was getting darker . The Mechanic was oblivious to this . I grabbed my Fire extinguisher and the owner of the shop had noticed this as well . He started opening the top hatch when the flames were coming out of the opening . We quickly closed the lid and opened the oil door and spent my whole extinguisher on it . Nailed it ! ! ! It looked like he was cranking it so hard the Alt wire was laying on the bracket and melted the housing and ignited the grease . A good save and some brownies for me from the shop owner .

Stacy

n Sun, Dec 16, 2012 at 5:36 PM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Sun, Dec 16, 2012 at 5:01 PM, Edward Maglott <emaglott3@gmail.com> > wrote: > > > Wow that's a weird one. Maybe we should all put a spray nozzle on > > the coolant tank with a pull cord to release coolant onto the engine > > in case it catches fire. (just kidding) Yes, you need to have a > > fire extinguisher, or 3 like Jim. It's a horrible experience to sit > > helpless watching your beloved vanagon burn. My '71 camper caught > > fire when the fuel line came off the carb. By the time my brother > > got back there, opened the engine hatch and told me it was on fire, I > > was ready with the extinguisher. A few roadside repairs and we > > continued our trip! Can you tell if fire got into the interior? As > > someone else said, it may be totalled by insurance but it probably > > still has a lot of value. If not to you, to someone else looking for > > a project. > > > > For general information: There are on board fire extinguisher systems > available for not very much. These are used in racecars, I had one in my > old racer....a 5lb fire bottle with two nozzels (in my case, you can > configure them however you decide) One into the engine bay and one onto > the driver. They have a 'pull handle' operating a cable to the release > valve.... > For those really worried about engine fires in their vanagon, one of > these could be an option. Me, I have two extinguishers, one I can reach > as I exit the vehicle and one near the stove in back. > Don Hanson > > > > > Edward > > > > > > > > At 06:36 PM 12/16/2012, you wrote: > > > >> I'm okay. > >> > >> Early November I bought my first Vanagon. 1987 GL Syncro with a Audi/VW > >> 2.5L I5 conversion. > >> > >> Today I had an engine fire. > >> > >> Coming to a stop on a freeway off ramp the clutch pedal goes to the > floor > >> without disengaging. Step on it again and same results. Van is > lurching > >> forward because the clutch won't release. Hitting the brake slowed it > >> but I > >> can feel the engine pushing forward. I shut off the ignition to bring it > >> to > >> a stop. I look in my mirrors and see smoke coming from the rear air > >> intakes. I hop out in the middle of the road and run to the back hoping > >> it > >> might only be steam. No luck, it's stinky smoke and starting to turn > >> black. > >> I get my cell phone and dial 911. I stand there and watch flames > starting > >> to come from the bottom of the engine. More black smoke. I think to > >> myself, I am going to watch my "new" Syncro burn to the ground. All of > a > >> sudden there is a loud hiss and the smoke turns to white steam and water > >> is > >> streaming from the engine. The coolant tank melted and sprayed coolant > on > >> to the fire and put it out. Shortly after an highway patrol pull up. A > >> few > >> minutes later the fire truck arrives. > >> > >> Not a nice day. > >> > >> My theory is: Clutch hose or the slave had a catastrophic failure and > >> when > >> I stepped on the clutch, the brake fluid sprayed out on to the exhaust > >> piping (exhaust runs forward on the driver side). The fluid flashed and > >> started burning. > >> > >> It's sitting in my driveway now. I'll start looking at the damages > >> another > >> day. I'm too depressed to do anything now. Fireman said that it might > >> be a > >> total loss. > >> > >> -Dick Wong- > >> 78 Scirocco > >> Original Owner > >> 87 Syncro 2.5 > >> Third Owner > >> 12 Golf TDI > >> Original Co-Owner > >> > > >

-- 1989 Swedish Tristar with Aluminum gates and Atiwe 16" Wheels. Oldest son is an Eagle scout.


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