It went up in flames ... Twice Options

[vnault]

Thanks for your support guys.

If you have parts that you want to send to Chris, I will be happy to cover shipping fees.

[HansJan]

Wow. Just read this for first time now.
This is awfull. I know how awfull it is, because mine burned last month.
The silver lining for me has been that it has been the opportunity to go through the entire car.

People on this site are incredibly helpfull. This afternoon I installed the stainless steel fuel lines (from Chris). Please do the same.

Im doing (learning) all the work myself, and spend approx $2K in parts. However not yet repainted. Can't imagine how much labor would be. But you are in good hand with Chris.

Good luck.
Hans Jan

[vnault]

Hans Jan

Your car burnt more then mine! It is great that you are able to save it.

I would have like to be able to do and learn and do the work by myself but I am a small business owner with 3 kids and trying to finish my PhD (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) .

Free time is scarce...

This community found that car for me and will now save it.

[db9146]

I know this might be a little late for some but I just installed the 3m version of BlazeCut under the engine deck lid of my -6. If your haven't seen how it works, check it out on-line. There is a video demo on a VW bus and it works. For $129, its good insurance.

[Justinp71]

We should make a fire prevention annual check list. What are items that should be checked on an annual basis to prevent fires?

-Fuel Lines
-Carb bolts (if equipped)
-Main power feeds from battery are in good shape and not rubbing anywhere on the car
-Fire prevention system intact (fire extinguisher or other)
-???


We could make a template available for printing and people can give there cars a once over every year.

If you guys PM me with items I will volunteer to make this template (unless it exists somewhere?)

[vnault]

We should make a fire prevention annual check list. What are items that should be checked on an annual basis to prevent fires?

-Fuel Lines
-Carb bolts (if equipped)
-Main power feeds from battery are in good shape and not rubbing anywhere on the car
-Fire prevention system intact (fire extinguisher or other)
-???


We could make a template available for printing and people can give there cars a once over every year.

If you guys PM me with items I will volunteer to make this template (unless it exists somewhere?)

I think a good maintenance on the carbs after the winter would have saved me a lot of trouble and dollars.

I will now carry a fire extinguisher and I will look into that 3M system.

[Justinp71]

We should make a fire prevention annual check list. What are items that should be checked on an annual basis to prevent fires?

-Fuel Lines
-Carb bolts (if equipped)
-Main power feeds from battery are in good shape and not rubbing anywhere on the car
-Fire prevention system intact (fire extinguisher or other)
-???


We could make a template available for printing and people can give there cars a once over every year.

If you guys PM me with items I will volunteer to make this template (unless it exists somewhere?)

I think a good maintenance on the carbs after the winter would have saved me a lot of trouble and dollars.

I will now carry a fire extinguisher and I will look into that 3M system.

I thought you had an electrical fire? Did you ever find the root of your fire?


The only only item on carbs that wears is the fuel line going to them, but it would be good to check all the brass nuts and bolts for tightness and also look it over for leaks when the fuel pump is on occasionally.

[patssle]

The only only item on carbs that wears is the fuel line going to them

Needle valves. They start getting sticky and all of a sudden your floats no longer stop the gas from coming in. This happened to me...immediately replace all 4 (on my flat-six carbs).

[rhodyguy]

Examine the carb passageway lead plugs. When one looks further out than the others, it's time to pull the carbs and re-secure them.

[vnault]

From what I have been explained and reading... a sticky needle valve with a stuck floater would be the cause of my fire.

I hope Chris will be able to give me more informations soon.

[stugray]

stuck needle valve or float will fill up the cylinders with fuel not necessarily overflow the carb.

If the car was running that is not likely the culprit.

If it was sitting there not running, but with the fuel pump On, then maybe.

[vnault]

stuck needle valve or float will fill up the cylinders with fuel not necessarily overflow the carb.

If the car was running that is not likely the culprit.

If it was sitting there not running, but with the fuel pump On, then maybe.

The car was running, I suppose Chris Foley will enlighten us soon.

[ChrisFoley]

stuck needle valve or float will fill up the cylinders with fuel not necessarily overflow the carb.

If the car was running that is not likely the culprit.

If it was sitting there not running, but with the fuel pump On, then maybe.

The car was running, I suppose Chris Foley will enlighten us soon.

The air cleaner is still in relatively good shape on top of the carb so there was no fire in the carburetor.
The lead plugs are still in place.
The fuel hose going to the carb is burnt up - just before the carb fitting. Fuel was leaking out of that hose when the flatbed was tilted to remove the car.

So it appears that the hose may have been leaking enough to fuel the fire, not sure how it started yet.
The second fire appears to be from burnt (alternator maybe) wires shorting out because the battery wasn't disconnected.

[vnault]

Thanks for the update Chris!

[Justinp71]

Good to know, fuel lines definitely have a lifespan. I am thinking of trying to remove some of my rubber lines in the engine bay and replace with as much hardline as possible. I think when I used to drag race they didn't allow more than 12" of rubber fuel line.

[JoeD]

I know this might be a little late for some but I just installed the 3m version of BlazeCut under the engine deck lid of my -6. If your haven't seen how it works, check it out on-line. There is a video demo on a VW bus and it works. For $129, its good insurance.

Curious- what length did you use? 6'? 9'? This seems like a relatively cheap and easy step worth taking...

[ChrisFoley]

Thanks for the update Chris!

The engine is out.

[euro911]

Chris,

Post a list of parts still needed when you get to that point. I may still have some parts I can look for - and donate (when I get back to AZ in July).

[larryM]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) important for anyone reading this who has a 914 that still has the oem plastic lines:

as a few others have suggested -

get rid of the old oem plastic lines - it is a fire waiting to happen

i've been up close to one of these - (not mine)

no hand held fire extinguisher nor engine comp't extinguisher will be capable of putting out a fire at the fuel lines under the car if they crack/break & catch

- the fuel will just run out from the tank in a big stream and keep on burning until the tank runs dry

of course, an agile youth among us with fireproof hands might just be able lie on one's back and "strangle the leak" before he catches fire himself, eh?

.

[ChrisFoley]

This pic shows most of the parts we need for Vincent's car.



Relay board & cover
Engine wiring harness
Spark plug wires
Motor mounts
Air cleaner
Warm air blower
Roof latch cup
Rubber seals

Needed but not shown:
Rain tray
Trunk rollers
Rear deck lid - yellow, local preferred