TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Dec 24, 2002 10:37 pm

The one thing that worries me the most about my vw and why I thought about another motor.. How do I prevent an engine fire in my vw not that I have had one yet?? But I have seen and heard of alot people that have had an engine fire in there vw..

Tue Dec 24, 2002 10:47 pm

QUESTION??? OPPS

Tue Dec 24, 2002 11:35 pm

OOPS!

Wed Dec 25, 2002 10:22 am

I know didn't spell Question right and oops to but it was late and I was in a hurry to..

Wed Dec 25, 2002 11:52 am

I'm not bashing you, Bro!
I had a bit to drink last night and it just struck me as funny!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

BWD
JHC;)

Wed Dec 25, 2002 1:02 pm

Make sure all your wires are insulated and open ends are not touching eachother. Also, if your fuel filter is over your distributer, relocate it somewhere else.

Wed Dec 25, 2002 1:57 pm

One of the primary reasons for fires in VWs is the brass fuel inlet pressed into the carby top. 30+ years of a rubber hose (and maybe a fuel filter) vibrating this brass spigot makes it come loose, and if it pops out of the carby the engine will run for a mile or two on the fuel in the bowl, whilst happily spraying fuel all over the engine from the disconnected line.

Test - remove the rubber fuel line from the carby, grab the brass inlet with a pair of pliers and tug on it - if it comes out, then...

Fix - place the inlet (spigot) on a plastic or wooden board and put the EDGE of a large single-cut file close to the end which goes into the carby-top. Now apply some pressure and ROLL the tube under the file, so you raise some ridges around the tube over about a 1/4 inch length. This is called Knurling. Don't damage the very end of the tube - this is what seals in the bottom of the hole, and don't knurl the outer end where the fuel line attaches.

Now press the inlet back into the carby top (use a small brass hammer or a wooden block if needed - all the way until it bottoms) and it will never come loose again.

Make sure all fuel lines are clear of the hot engine parts and can't rub on anything. Place any fuel filter BEFORE the fuel pump so it's not swinging on the carby inlet pipe, (it then also feeds filtered fuel to the pump so there's less change of the one-way valves sticking), and make sure all the rubber fuel lines are secure.

That should reduce the chances of engine fires in your bug.

Regards
Rob
Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repairs and maintenance for the home mechanic
http://www.geocities.com/aussiebug1970/

Wed Dec 25, 2002 10:32 pm

Wow thanks for the great info aussiebug..

Hey big wave dave thats kewl, I really only said it because there are some people in here that are just rude or something..

Thu Dec 26, 2002 4:28 am

Dominic is right, the fuel filter over the dizzy is a HUGE reason for a fire, relocate it to the left of the fan shroud, alll the way over there. I don't know how Dom knew that, he usually dosnt know shit about VWs. He makes fun of my 74 super beetle with fuzzy pink pimp interior and a split section welded in rollin on dayton wires, and what deos HE have??!! LOL
Dave is one of us also... Stay drunk BWD!

LOL
Adam Vegas
JHC FOREVER

Thu Dec 26, 2002 8:01 am

All in fun!:)
Hope everyone had a good Christmas!

BWD
JHC;)

Thu Dec 26, 2002 12:13 pm

LOL @ ADAM!!!!
Sounds like you had too many rum balls!!!!!
Thanks Adam Vargas!!!!!!!!!
LOL!!!!!

Thu Dec 26, 2002 10:29 pm

aussiebug1970:

Sounds like good advice. Do you know if there is some sort of Loctite product designed for fuel line use? Would it be a good idea to glue the fitting into the carb with this?

Also, in general, carry a fire extinguisher readily at hand in the car. Mine sits right behind the driver's seat back in between the partition and the seat in my bus. You can grab that sucker without even having to unsnap a release. As you dive out of the bus, grab the extinguisher, and also grab the churchkey (for you pre-1966'ers).