Fire on the freeway

ShultzRoadHouse · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:37 pm Post subject: Fire on the freeway

Driving to work this morning the van stalled, I pulled over and tried to restart it. It almost started then I saw smoke and flames out of the vents. Opened the slider grabbed the fire extinguisher and initially got the fire out. Pushed it out of the pool of burning gas and the flames followed the van and consumed it. First trip on the freeway and managed to shut it down. Replaced the fuel lines over a month ago but didn't get to the line from the tank to the fuel pump, thats where I saw gas leaking as I was frantically removing anything that was close. She took fifteen minutes to burn. Great morning. This was the 'stolen' van if you all remember.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
ShultzRoadHouse
'81 AirCooled Westy RIP
'82 Westy w/ '93 Subaru EJ22
'71 Super Beetle w/ '75 AJ 1600
'12 Jetta

Welchmaster · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:39 pm Post subject:

so bummed! hopefully insurance will take care of it?
_________________
________________________
90 2wd Orly Blue Multivan weekender. "Van-Duzer"

"Further up, further in!"

syncrodoka · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:40 pm Post subject:

foodeater · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:40 pm Post subject:

Holy Shit!!!! Man, I'm sorry about your luck with that van, total bummer (to say the least).

The photos brought a tear to my eyes (almost literally).
_________________
89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP

ShultzRoadHouse · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:41 pm Post subject:

Full Coverage. Thank God.
_________________
ShultzRoadHouse
'81 AirCooled Westy RIP
'82 Westy w/ '93 Subaru EJ22
'71 Super Beetle w/ '75 AJ 1600
'12 Jetta

dubsnfun · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:45 pm Post subject:

#1...I'm sorry
#2...Noone seemed to be hurt, that's important
#3...It's hard to see a dub go down like that
#4...You're not the only one....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wjSa_6IVZs

time to get another one Wink

ShultzRoadHouse · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:47 pm Post subject: Before her death....

_________________
ShultzRoadHouse
'81 AirCooled Westy RIP
'82 Westy w/ '93 Subaru EJ22
'71 Super Beetle w/ '75 AJ 1600
'12 Jetta

jimmy79/88 · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:54 pm Post subject:

Wow!

I am really glad you had insurance.

That's a really good reason for not making it to work on time
_________________
Grew up (not born) in a '79 bay
Own a '88 westy

Jimmy

windnsea · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:01 pm Post subject:

Sorry about your loss.

The time is now to start 'your' evaluation as to the worth of your vanagon. The insurance companies will want to low ball you. Get some Samba and Go Westy examples to 'share' with the insurance people.

Best of Luck

0to60in6min · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:11 pm Post subject:

I feel sad ... very sad.. for you

good luck

Williamtaylor33 · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:18 pm Post subject:

Sorry man... Sad

Glad your safe....
_________________
89 Bostig powered syncro westy

SteelB12 · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:20 pm Post subject:

So the fuel line NOT over the engine caused this?? Damn!

vanjoe · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:57 pm Post subject:

Bro that is insane. I would have been crying. After all you have been through hopefully someone will give you a great deal on another van. Was it the gas spraying back towards the motor hitting the exhaust that ignited the fire? I am just shocked!
_________________
1990 VW Vanagon tin top weekender Carat
1998 Mercedes S420

"Why is there never time to do it right the first time, but there is always time to do it twice?"

"Back to the basics!"

Robw_z · Samba Member Joined: April 28, 2007 Posts: 995

Oh man so sorry! Looks like you were right under Cole/Overland on I 84.

Hope Boise hasn't lost a Vanagon driver(hope u get another van).

-Rob

VisPacem · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 1:57 am Post subject:

That van had a curse man. No one got hurt, perhaps it's better that way.

Still sorry for your loss Crying or Very sad

_________________
LG aka VisPacemPB, *The* party Pooper

No Regrets (Nothing to do with Vanagons)

GrindGarage · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 3:02 am Post subject:

sorry for your loss
_________________
-cliff

91 Vanagon AUTO
97 Single Port EJ22 all smallcar.com

netcruzer · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 3:30 am Post subject:

Wow! So sorry for your loss.

As a new air-cooled Westy owner who is putting faith in some fuel lines that the previous owner replaced last fall, you've effectively scared me (doesn't help that you van is an almost exact replica of mine, down to the colour).

I thought the most typical cause for a fire like this is the fuel hoses near the injectors, over the engine (which I know were replaced on mine). But this was a leak near the pump? Was is spraying out high pressure gas all over the rear of the vehicle, onto the exhaust/engine? Did you leave the key in, ignition on?

I'm not totally familiar with my van yet, but I seem to recall that the pump is a fair distance away from the engine and exhaust. I know that must have been a few frantic minutes, but if you can recall any more details you may save some future van fires.

Glad that you made it out safe.

Also, as mine is a 30yr old vehicle, I cannot even get theft or fire insurance until I get a full appraisal. Which I don't plan to do until I fix a few body/paint issues later on.

Odd_Dutch · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 5:13 am Post subject:

That sucks, my condolences.

j8 · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 6:18 am Post subject:

Oh man, I'm so sorry about your vanagon and so glad you're okay. Hope the insurance deal works out and that you find a Westy, drama-free.
_________________
Julia
'89 2WD Westy (No end to names...)

RCB · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 6:30 am Post subject:

RIP X's II Crying or Very sad


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Premium Membership \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2