Post engine fire advice

[Bschuh66]

Hello all.
My 65 bug with a 1200cc 6v caught fire last week
The repo 28mm fuel line came off on the freeway thus causing fire.
It was aflame for about a minute. A bucket of water was used to extinguish the flames
Aftermath...
Burned out fuel and all electrical components and air filter melted into carb and manifold
What I have done...
Replaced wires cap points oil sensor , fuel lines,
Cleaned carb rebuilt it and removed fuel manifold and cleaned it to the best of my ability
Put it all back together and she runs... Bad
Hesitation, backfire, overall rough car now
And generator is not working

As I am writing this I have it idling and it seems to get better and better.
Where should I go from here

And I am now a owner Of a fire extinguisher in both my vws lol.

[WD-40]

Bschuh66's photos from the gallery:

//edit: looks like the others have made it into the first post.

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"The new Volkswagen 1303. We've made so many improvements, they're beginning to show."

[grandpa pete]

To all of you reading this and thinking " what can I do to prevent this "
Please secure your fuel line connection at the carbeurator . The unlike metals separate from the extra weight of a fuel filter bouncing in the engine compartment .
Next time you are at a swap meet check and see how many used carbs for sale have a loose connection here .

IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU !!

I believe this photo came from Everett...thanks
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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[jwp67]

Sorry to hear about the fire. You always think this can't happen to me. I have as of yet to put the wire on the carb fitting. I think I have a new #1 project tomorrow. Thanks Grandpa.

[Bschuh66]

Carburetor safety wired Check

[grandpa pete]

[WD-40]

It might be the angles of the photos, but it doesn't look like there are any clamps at all on the fuel line, either before or after the fire?

Also, you need a grommet where the hard line runs through the rear tin, or else the engine vibrations will saw a notch through that line, which then drips right onto the exhaust. If you're re-using the existing metal line, check it very carefully for marks/cuts.
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"The new Volkswagen 1303. We've made so many improvements, they're beginning to show."

[grandpa pete]

somebody probably told him " you don't need clamps with that type hose "....Thismight have been true before the 1600 engine came out but even VW changed that in their factory installations .
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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[payin_vw]

one of the pictures shows the melted fuel filter still attached to the fuel line, lesson learned I suppose.
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61 work in progress restoration, more work than progress actually.

[HRVW]

Use a pr of pliers and put some crimp marks on the Carb nipple and tap back into the carb using a soft mallet.....will Never come out.

Might add to use 1-7/8 soft plug in the fan housing air outlet.....can be removed if and when any heat is needed inside the car.

[craigman]

I would take the top off, pull the nipple out, and tap it for a brass threaded nipple. That should do it!

[Helfen]

[bluebus86]

You are very very lucky, no fire extinguisher and you still put it out!!! you the man!!!

Get a fire extinguisher

Get safety wires and hose clamps on all fuel hoses as applicable

Get 30R9 rated fuel hose that will resist todays government mandated oxygenated crap gas that eats lesser rubber hoses, (thank you corn lobby)that cloth factory type hose don't cut it these days, and that also goes for the hose under the gas tank and near the tranny

Get a real stock air cleaner, back fires can ignite many aftermarket types such as yours, plus your engine will be free of oil spray as that air cleaner you have lacks a correctly engineered crankcase ventilation suction. You get no performance gain with that kind of air cleaner, just greater fire risk, louder motor and an oily dirty motor too.

make sure all the wires are sorted out, a shorted wire can damage the generator /regulator, or the internal insulation in these two devices is ruined, causing them to not work anymore

I survived one VW engine fire caused by lack of safety wires (fitting pulled right out of pump) and I have had two other cars where fitting pulled out with slight hand pressure!!! I had a fire extinguisher handy for the fire.

make sure you carb cleaning included new gaskets, if you re-used old gaskets, that could be cause of rough running, make sure timing is right and that advance mechanism is working correctly, make sure the vacuum hoses are clear and not leaking also, as this will effect timing too.

make sure your spark plug wires are not damaged, replace if in doubt.

My engine ran fine after my big fire, after lots of clean up (I also had to clean up extinguisher powder, never let the powder sit, it will corrode stuff fast if moist, I cleaned mine within hours of the fire)


I am glad you are ok and you saved your Bug, Hopefully you can get it better than before, may take some time, but I can tell from your fire fighting ability that you will likely get her back to great shape
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Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[bluebus86]

[Nirvana09]

Also, be careful about trying to put out a magnesium fire with water. If the case has already caught fire and you throw water on it, it will burn hotter. You got SUPER lucky you caught it in time. Good idea with the extinguisher. I have one behind each seat in my Bus. One for me, the other for the passenger. If I have a fire, you bet I'll want all of the help I can get.
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A few '56s, a '64, and some late model stuff.

[Aussiebug]

[wcfvw69]

[61SNRF]

X2 ^^

All these "knurling" methods used to make a tighter physical fit are fine if it pops out while driving and you're stuck beside the road with only a pair of pliers and a screwdriver, but how much and where to distress the fitting is by trial and error and/or prior experience

As suggested, if you're in a shop environment, why not apply more modern and less aggressive alternatives that anyone can use and as a bonus also seals the fitting against leaking?

Alt 1-I've had good luck using JB Weld to hold them in for good. You need to follow product directions by sanding the fitting and carb bore a little bit with Course emery cloth to prep the union, then let it cure 72 hours before subjecting to use.

Alt 2-Green or Red LocTite used as directed on the cleaned and properly prepped fittings will secure it FOREVER. With these products I wouldn't hesitate to put them back into service within an hour.

DISCLAIMER: These methods only good up to ~1000*F, so no guarantees if you have another engine fire due to weak fuel hoses

I will say dealing with the critical body and paint work issue that comes after an engine fire is most important right off the bat.
The fire burns off all the paint and protection, and the sheet metal can even change after a fire.
To save the vents and to be able to paint them successfully is a lot of work and a real challenge even for pro's. Lots of nooks, crannys and seams in this area of the body for rust to grow.
Time is not on your side in this instance, I would recommend getting some form of anti-rust treatment/protection on the areas that got burnt to bare metal that are now rusting ASAP.
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-Bruce

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[madmack]

I had Tim at VolkzBitz to tap and barbed fit my carb when he rebuilt it.
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1972 Tintop Westfalia 2.0 091
1966 Bahama Blue Type 1 2017

[VolkzBitz]

There are no brass floats available for these carbs, the plastic ones seem to be standing up to the new fuel, but the sponge ones soak up gas and become heavy. Also, its the 2 different metals of the carburetor and the brass inlet that cause the problem, when they get hot, they expand and contract at different rates, after time they become loose.
Here is the modification that I offer. The carburetor is tapped, and the fitting screwed in.

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http://volkzbitz.com
Quality VW Solex carburetor restoration
[email protected]

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