Date: Sat, 25 Jan 1997 15:22:34 -0500 (EST)
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: KENYON FAIREY <kfairey@oit.umass.edu>
Subject: '91 Vanagon engine fire
I thought I would report on the information I now have on my '91 Westy's engine
fire, and ask for any information any of you might have on similar safety
problems.
The insurance company hired an investigator to examine the Westy. He frist
called me for some info, then examined the engine. When he called back he asked
for a few more details of the incident. Senario:
12 degree F morning - clear and cold
Van was cranked and allowed to warm for a couple of minutes
Van was driven 6 miles, parked, left in reverse and turned off
On the way over to the destination, during a small uphill stretch, the
driver noticed that the engine seemed to 'miss' once.
The driver was inside about 5 minutes and came back out to find flames
coming out from bothrear wheel wells.
The driver ran back in and asked someone to call the fire department,
grabbed a fire extinguisher and ran back out to find the engine
completely engulfed in flames, flames coming out of the upper rear
air vents as well.
During burning, the Van lurched back multiple times, finally hitting
a fence - partially knocking it down and catching it on fire as well.
Investigator's report:
The clamp/O ring assembly on the first cylinder failed, allowing the
fuel injector to shoot out and gas to spray into the engine com-
partment. The fuel injector was no where in the engine. Multiple
spark/short marks were visable, but were a result of the fire and
engine burning.
He stated that -
We were lucky! Had the fire not been visible to the driver, and the
key been turned in the ignition, the engine and propane tank would
have in all likelyhood exploded.
We can all invision what this would have been like!
PLEASE - if you have experienced any problem with the clamp/O ring assembly or
fuel injectors on your '91 Vanagon - contact me with your information.
The investigator is contacting the Nat Highway Safety ... with a detaild
report and performing a full investigation of related recalls.
ANY information you may have would be of assistance to us in this case.
AND - PLEASE check your clamp/O ring connections on all cylinders for any
sign of wear/cracks, etc.
Kenyon
--
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Kenyon Fairey, Re.D. Adjunct Assistant Professor
Head, Help Desk Services & Human Dimensions of Resource Management
Software Support Department of Forestry &
Office of Information Technologies Wildlife Management
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
A 117, Lederle Graduate Research Center Internet -- KFairey@OIT.UMass.EDU
University of Massachusetts Phone -- (413)-545-4366
Amherst, MA 01003 FAX -- (413)-545-3203
