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Date:         Sun, 16 Dec 2012 17:36:55 -0800
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Fire!
Comments: To: Edward Maglott <emaglott3@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <50ce6ee2.d3763a0a.2d87.ffffa498@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

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 >> >


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