Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2017 10:59:56 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: How much damage to engine block, heads, etc.,
in fire from leaking fuel ines?
In-Reply-To: <67eb7f70.30fd.15d6a89b3f5.Webtop.50@jhl.mgacoxmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
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
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