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!
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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