Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2017 18:34:08 -0400
Reply-To: John Lauterbach <john@JHL.MGACOXMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Lauterbach <john@JHL.MGACOXMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: How much damage to engine block, heads, etc.,
in fire from leaking fuel ines?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed; delsp=no
Thank you to all for your replies and your suggestions. Right now I am
exploring my options. The engine was turning during the fire from the
starter motor as thr distributor cap and wires were nonexistent and
there was no source of fuel to the injectors. The connectors between
the inlet manifold and the tubes leading to the cylinders were also
nonexistent after the fire. It would help if someone could tell me what
they were made of so I can estimate decomposition temperature.
John
On Sat, Jul 22, 2017 at 5:09 PM, moritz schmid wrote:
> Bummer man hopefully you get it running soon! Another great reason to
> invest in Blazecut! I just did all my fuel lines and installed it!
> $145 is
> cheap insurance to save a bus!
>
> On Sat, Jul 22, 2017 at 2:00 PM Stuart MacMillan
> <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Bummer. :-( I'm surprised it was running considering the fuel leak
>> that
>> happened, but that’s a good sign. Your tranny should be fine, and it
>> depends on how hot the engine got from the fire as to its condition.
>> If it
>> was just a few minutes, it's probably okay since the fire was on top,
>> away
>> from seals and gaskets. That's where the stuff that burns is.
>> Congratulations to your fire department that the van wasn't
>> destroyed.
>>
>> This is a good time to do a Subaru conversion! Most of the stuff
>> that
>> burned is not used in the conversion, only the black box wiring,
>> coolant
>> level sensor wiring, tail/side light and license plate wiring. Even
>> the
>> power steering hoses are replaced. If the big black box on the upper
>> left
>> burned, then that's another story, but replacing that is easier than
>> trying
>> to get all the other 1.9 stuff.
>>
>> If you do keep the WBX, contact conversion shops and check The Samba
>> for
>> the wiring harness, ECU, etc., and consider upgrading the cooling
>> system to
>> the later 2.1 engine version. Again, find the parts from folks doing
>> conversions, and search The Samba for "parting out Vanagon" along
>> with
>> specific parts.
>>
>> I have a set of original 1.9 hoses and other bits left from my
>> conversion.
>> Pmail me if you are interested. Wire harness is gone, but I also
>> have the
>> ECU, a brand new (rebuilt) alternator, a new water pump, recently
>> rebuilt
>> starter (for automatic) and the smaller black box over the coil. I
>> have
>> the engine too, but it's tired and needs a full rebuild.
>>
>> Stuart
>> Seattle
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>> Behalf
>> Of John Lauterbach
>> Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2017 6:43 AM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: How much damage to engine block, heads, etc., in fire from
>> leaking fuel ines?
>>
>> This concerns my '84 VW Vanagon with 1.9L Boston Bob long block
>> (installed
>> 2003, about 65K km traveled). Van was driven only a few blocks from
>> home
>> after not being used for since previous day. Metal engine cover kept
>> flames from entering van, and fire dept had to lift it up to quench
>> fire
>> with water spray from 1.75 inch line using water on board fire truck.
>> Distributor was still rotating when fire put out and had to have fire
>> dept
>> cut battery ground strap to stop it. How much damage to engine
>> generally
>> occurs in such events? How should one test?
>> Compression test only or what else? Do I need to worry about
>> automatic
>> transmission?
>>
>> All other components in engine compartment that were not metal went
>> up in
>> smoke. List vendors: This is your opportunity to make some money.
>> Assuming engine is okay, I will have body shop remove everything from
>> engine compartment, repaint, etc.
>>
>> Right now I cannot provide more details.
>>
>> Thank you very much in advance.
>>
>> John
>>
|