Triage on an engine fire...

[jkmcrg]

Well, I don't know what to say. I thought all the fuel lines were fine, but apparently not all of them were.

As far as engine fires go, we were very lucky. I heard a pop and I knew something was wrong immediately, so I pulled over into a very large shoulder, shut the engine off, and coasted to a stop. At that point the cab filled up with smoke. We got out of the car, threw open the hatch and engine lid, and starting throwing our two water bottles worth on the engine. A minute later, a man in a truck showed up with a fire extinguisher and put out most of the fire, but it stayed lit on top of the transmission, I guess that insulation is very flammable. We fought it back with water bottles for about 5 minutes until a patrol car showed up with another extinguisher and ended it. 10 minutes later a volunteer fire fighter showed up and made sure everything was out.

Here is a before and after:

What can be salvaged? I don't think the engine seized, because the starter was shorted out and sporadically tried to turn it over. Sounded like it cranked fine. Would a campfire on top of an auto tranny for 5 minutes melt the pistons? Basically everything plastic is too far gone. AFM. Wiring. Coolant lines look alright.
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1984 Westfalia Orwell (crispy)
2.2L Digifant
Automatic transmission

[bluebus86]

engine and tranny are probly fine, electric and injection stuff is probably toast.

assuming dry powder extingusher was used, you have little time to remove all traces of that corrosiv epowder before it starts to destroy stuff, it will eat thru the magnessium tranny case rapidly, an
d does agood job on the aluminum engine too. so wash it all down super good, leave no powder a anyplace.

of course keep the water out of the motor and tranny. dont let any of the powder nor its rinse water inside the intake.

then consider redoing the wires, and all the elecrrics and injection bits. big job, but at least you knocked down the fire before it spread and warped the body.

any idea on what failed?


so job one is too immediatly clean up the highly corrosive dry chemical extingusher residues. this is extremely important to do immedialty.

good luck
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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

[jkmcrg]

okay I'll make sure to clean it down good, and soon. That would be amazing if the engine and tranny were okay... I guess I'll run em through their paces and see. Sounds like a big job, indeed. But it sounds doable. Gonna sleep this off in a motel, now. Big day tomorrow u haul towing it the rest of the 800 miles to Colorado.

A fuel line blew out the side. The return to the tank line. I noticed it did look older than the other lines in the van, but didn't think too much about it. So. Guess it's kind of my fault
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1984 Westfalia Orwell (crispy)
2.2L Digifant
Automatic transmission

[Merian]

never trust a PO
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....

[bluebus86]

[Gruppe B]

That's heartbreaking to read and see... my deepest sympathies

It might be easiest to find a beat up but running Vanagon of similar year and take everything piece by piece. I would think that unless you see melted metal on the engine or transmission, I would guess the insides should be fine.

[joeyTWOwheels]

oh man, sorry to read this. Good luck!

[slo356]

So sorry about your new engine. Very bad break to have fuel line failure.
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'65 T1 Sedan
'87 T3 Syncro

[newfisher]

Bummer, but could have been worse and glad you are ok

Insurance? = Suby swap with harness etc.

Next $99 spent= Blaze cut

[Robw_z]

Aww man. Too many times folks put up engine rebuild posts on here... then soon after meet with a kaput. Sorry for your difficulties but glad you're OK.

-Rob

[IdahoDoug]

Newfisher. I'm sold on that - where could I find it for 99 clams? Thanks.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[hdenter]

Bad luck, but don't sweat it! I bought my work van with a worse burn job than that. I dropped the motor and spent a day cleaning off the melted crap and replacing all the accessories with good used parts. The coolant hoses that burned though where replaced and it all went back in the next day. My friend swore to me that the aluminum of the heads and block would be a good enough heat sink that the rubber head gaskets and the short hose between head and water pump would be fine. He was right, 50k later it is still running great! So, take it home, clean it up and hop back on the horse again.

Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

[djkeev]

This link may be helpful to clean up and neutralize the ABC chemicals......

http://www.pyrochem.com/pdfs/miscellaneous/PC2008148.pdf

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[danfromsyr]

as a caution to other NEW owners or those trusting others at replacing fuel lines.
I've seen on far too many vans with the fuel lines replaced/serviced
that the rubber line on the BACK SIDE of the PS firewall bulkhead is too often still ORIGINAL VW and that even one or both of the hose clamps are corroded right off.

EVERY vanagon owner should make sure that every inch of hose is new.
even a trusted mechanic will likely only replace from the bulkhead to the motor..

I'm assuming that's why/where you were having trouble putting the fire out over the transmission.. it was saturated in gas.
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[Steve M.]

[bluebus86]

[?Waldo?]

Always follow any significant mechanical work (e.g. anything involving engine removal) with a significant period of 'shakedown' driving (200+ miles). During that shakedown period, you should stop frequently and look above/below the engine for anything that might be amiss, gradually extending the times between peeks at the engine, e.g. look after 1/2 mile, then after 1 more mile, then after 5 more miles, etc.... That behavior will often catch any fuel or coolant leaks before your engine is a melted or burned up lump.

[dobryan]

That just sucks, but you should have a good engine long block and tranny to start again.

I installed a battery cutoff a few years ago (after an engine fire that was constantly reignited by shorted wiring...). Live and learn....
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[danfromsyr]

look for someone doing an engine swap
all the peripheral components shouldn't be too much $$ if someone is sympathetic and doing an engine swap.
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[tjet]

Major bummer dude. Could have been worse tho