I think I need some serious help with my engine. Had a bit of an engine fire while driving home yesterday, basically the fan cover and foam round the tinware caught alight (managed to get it out). The engine still runs but I think it needs a bit of TLC and dont really know where to start (runs well enough for AA to say I could risk driving it home with them following. They seem to think it overheated and somehow that caused the fire but I need input on how this could have happened. I need two things really, one, ideas on what could have caused the fire, and two the steps to make sure it doesn't bl00dy overheat anymore. Or..... should I just send it away for a rebuild? The weird thing is, I would have thought if anything it was the exhaust as that sits directly underneath, but there is no sign of that having had a problem, no melted plastic of foam on it and no scorch marks. The only other thing I can think is I had the heating on last night and the heat exchangers had something to do with it. Any ideas much appreciated. Cheers Stu Pictures: (and can get more if it help anyone diagnose)
Hi Stu - sorry to hear about that - but does'nt it show you how tough these engines are. OK 99.9999% of engine fires are leaking fuel somewhere, or plastics falling on hot exhausts or exchangers . First thing - take some detailed pics of the engine how it is now for reference Take the engine out - check all the fuel lines are ok - if not happy replace anyway. Check the wiring is not burnt anywhere or chafing on anything Replace any damaged rubber/plastics Your engine will not go up in flames from overheating but if you think its running hot you need to check the thermostat, linkages etc. Fit a new fan belt. Check all the carbs are not damaged or look as though they leak Its hard to try to diagnose something like this just follow your nose, be sensible replace anything that looks suspect. Dont forget to clean it up before you start replacing though. Hope this helps?
Thanks Stan, I have actually spent a lot of time sorting oil leaks and have just replaced the fuel lines. I guess it will have to be that engine drop over winter but now its finding somewhere to do it Cheers for the advice.
Mmmm quick reply not working? If you've just replaced the fuel lines, it could have been caused by something as simple as a missing or not tight fuel clip?
The pics don't really show much other than a piece of melted plastic. Where did you see the flames coming from? I know you can see around the fan is burnt but that doesn't mean that's where the fire was... As Stan said, fires are usually fuel or electrics, but they can be caused by oil too - having the heating on won't cause a fire - unless the heater fan is the culprit. My guess is its probably oil which caught fire on the heat exchangers. If it was fuel you'd see it and still smell it - loose fuel lines don't fix themselves Drop the engine on the street and stick it on the kitchen table like I did ;D
BTW - your AA man must have been a right fat lazy arse making you drive a car that had just been on fire
Stan and Jokers comments on pulling the engine make good sense & also it'll give you chance to check out any of the wiring for bare wires, chaffed wires etc and tidy the soot marks up. It may be a pain to do pulling the engine but it'll give you some peace of mind knowing you have thoroughly checked it out.
Ok, I can understand your hesitation BUT if you have done it and done it to the best of your abilities then get someone like Fish to come along and give you a second opinion on your work?
Its only with the ancillaries that make an engine heavy once exhaust and heat exchangers removed they are fairly easy to lift!
It doesn't look like fuel to me, maybe there has been an oil leak or a spil & the foam was saturated, this got hot because of the exhaust & it met its flash point. I'm glad it wasn't more serious. Get yourself an automatic fire extinguisher.
