Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2012 20:23:32 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Fire!
In-Reply-To: <CAMuoOU4R6naN8zwDHNhJ1_iX82i4LruJ=qbVc6Jrx-SgxfKktQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/flash-point-fuels-d_937.html
The flash point of engine is not all that high. The exhaust manifold can
easily vaporize it especially with the engine heavily loaded and at the edge
of turning cherry red. Then you can even have it reach auto ignition so a
spark or flame is not needed to start the fire. The propylene glycol in
antifreeze can also burn with some help. Oil and antifreeze can make for a
nasty fire as once it gets going the burning is sustained. Gasoline is
almost harder to really burn if there is any ventilation. When it hits
something hot it flashes and disappears rapidly. Once the fuel supply stops
so will the fire until other things start burning to fuel it? Many engine
fires are caused by other things before it becomes a fuel fire but the
gasoline is usually blamed.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
John Meeks
Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2012 11:39 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Fire!
Dick ~ Your pix look a lot like my post-engine fire. I replaced the melted
parts with used salvage stuff and took a lot of time replacing the melted
wires.
My fire resulted from a failed crankcase breather tower o-ring spraying oil
over the top of of the engine. I'm not sure what the ignition source was but
I suspect arcing from a compromised spark plug wire.
Bottom line is the repairs made me go through all the components and the
result is a fine running engine.
I'll state the obvious and suggest replacement of all fuel and coolant hoses
in the engine compartment.
Good luck with whatever course you choose to salvage your treasure :-)
John Meeks
'91 Multivan 250k miles
Stock 2.1
http://www.vanagonauts.com
Vanagon Rescue Squad
with iPhone and Android apps
On Dec 18, 2012 10:19 PM, "Dick Wong" <sailingfc@dslextreme.com> wrote:
> Here are some pictures. Both links are to the same site.
>
>
>
> Fire pictures.
> <
> https://plus.google.com/photos/109269280604562976036/albums/5823165646
> 80081
> 9169?authkey=CKyk1tixnrXNDw>
>
>
>
>
> https://plus.google.com/photos/109269280604562976036/albums/5823165646
> 800819
> 169?authkey=CKyk1tixnrXNDw
>
>
>
> -Dick Wong-
> 78 Scirocco
> Original Owner
> 87 Syncro 2.5
>
> Third Owner
>
> 12 Golf TDI
>
> Original Co-Owner
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dick Wong [mailto:sailingfc@dslextreme.com]
> Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 3:37 PM
> To: 'vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM'
> Subject: Fire!
>
>
>
> 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
>
