I just had an engine fire. Car was warm pulled out and saw flames out the rear view mirror. My Element did not work. Next one did but did not stop fire. 40 year old fire extinguisher did the job!
What is the best solution for removing the extinguisher residue from the PMO carburetors and the engine? Could have been much worst! Saved the car!

Matt

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Wash right away. Make sure nothing goes down the carb throat and if by mistake it does vacuum that out right away. I would be using dish soap myself

That sucks, Matt. No help here other than I hope you get it sorted out without major problems.

What’s the chemistry of the fire extinguisher used? I thought a standard FE left an acidic residue? Find out and use the correct cleaner and fast!

I have very limited service here and cannot research it. I have to use multiple hotspots to get these messages out. I used an element extinguisher and I also use a standard camper extinguisher about 40 years old, not sure it’s composition.

Matt

Going for dishwasher, soap and water rinse now. Wish me luck.

Don't know the best method, glad it was saved, unhappy to hear 1 element didn't do the job. I am running them in my cars.

Drop the engine and trans and start cleaning. Without knowing the right thing to do, I would probably use dawn dish soap and water with baking soda mixed in. I would probably take the engine down to a long block and clean each piece individually and get under the fiberglass shroud. Then wipe everything down with wd40 to give all the exposed aluminum and steel some protection.

Thank you.
Matt

From the Guardian Fire service web site:

Dry chemical fire extinguishers use firefighting agents such as monoammonium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium bicarbonate. These leave behind a corrosive powder, so it’s important to clean up dry chemical fire extinguisher residue quickly, especially if it has come in contact with metal surfaces.

Vacuum or sweep up loose debris.
Spray stuck-on residue with isopropyl alcohol diluted 50 percent with warm water. Let the solution sit for several minutes, and then wipe with a damp rag.
To neutralize sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate residue, apply a solution of 98 percent hot water and 2 percent vinegar. After several minutes, wipe the area with a damp rag.
To neutralize monoammonium phosphate residue, apply a baking soda and hot water paste. After several minutes, wipe the area with a damp rag.
Give the affected area a final wash with soap and water, and then rinse clean. Use fans to help the spot dry quickly.

That matches my memory that dry chem stuff is chemically basic, and corrosive--and needs to be neutralized with a mild acid.

I rinsed good today..
Tow home then strip down.
Thanks for you help guys.
Matt

What was the root cause? Line, fitting...?

That sucks!
I would follow the sage advice here based upon experience.

So sorry.

As soon as I read the thread title, I said “carbs.” In its original form, the 3.2 doesn’t mix fuel and air with an ignition source until the combustion chamber.

Got to be a leaky line and an errant spark.

I got the car cleaned off as best as I could at the location I was in. I just got back with the car on the trailer and took a few photos. I am now going to do the baking soda and vinegar wash downs. I will be dropping the engine tomorrow morning. I think the fire started inside the air cleaner assembly.

Matt

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Matt,
I really sorry to see this. I hope it’s not too much to sort out.

Thanks Dave, Can I please ask you about the fire extinguisher system you have installed in your car? Did you custom build it or did you order the parts from somewhere?

Matt

Matt - Glad you are ok! Car can be fixed and best of luck. Agree with Nick as I’m running elements in my cars it’s scary to know it didn’t work!

That sux Matt. Glad you are alright. I’m sure you’ll get it sorted. Not what anyone here wants to see.
Looks like plenty of good advice given.
Best of luck!

Thanks Travis.
The element I have in my car almost lit, but the sparker on the Element broke off.
I was only 100 yards from privet pond with Family and friends. My Sister had her Element in her car. That put out the carb fire. After the element ran out, engine compartment light and rear trunk seals caught back on fire. I had to use my hands and a towel to keep flams from taking off again. Finally a old camper fire extinguisher finish off the burning plastic.
Maybe getting a bigger Element or two.

Matt

OMG Matt... what a mess, thankfully you put it out it and the 914 didn't burn to the ground.

I have the small Element in both my 914s. I was sold on the fact that there would be no mess like with the old fashioned dry chemical. I have always wondered how well, or if, they would work on a car fire. Terrible that you had a disaster happen to get first hand experience with them... I now have to question getting the larger Element or giving up on these things completely. Did you lose faith in the Element? Would you still consider using them again?

Some very quick action on your part saved that 914!

Also looks like you cleaned things up nicely.

Reminds me to check my fire extinguisher in my 914....you never know.

The one element that worked did its job. Fire was out, but metal was hot. Plastic reignited! Need more time out of Element.

I will be buying two large Elements and one car unit for engine and front trunk.

Matt

Matt,

You talking about the element that I see folks mount on the engine lid? The tube things? I might make that investment.

-Dan

I think that is the blaze cut extinguisher.

Interesting concept that it lives in the engine bay and activates automatically...
If it goes off and you are unaware that it did, then what?

https://www.blazecutusa.com

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0993/9986...df?v=1649192945

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=295071

I still like old school aim and spray too.

That is not what I was talking about. Thank you very much Clay for pointing this out.
That is a very cool concept using modern technology in our cars.
Again, I thank you very much Clay for pointing this out. @ClayPerrine

Matt

Looks like I need some new spark plug wires and a carb rebuild kit. Replace a few electric wires and reinstall.
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I will pull the engine shroud and make sure all extinguisher residue is removed. I have 3/4 of a gallon of Gibbs and I will use that to spray on the engine.
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Had thought about getting an Element (convenient) but multiple posters had indicated they don’t work under the tins. Got a 5-lb Purple K instead.

Sorry to see that this has happened to you....really sucks. On the bright side, it looks like you were able to extinguish the fire before it did major damage. That said, now that you've taken the engine out and broken it down a bit, do you have any clues as to what went wrong to cause the fire? Random backfire through the carb that ignited? As a fellow carb'd 914 owner, this scenario is always in the back of my mind. I hope you're able to replace a minimal amount of parts and get it back on the road. I know this process has been a total pain in the ass.

Backfire through the carb, maybe a little rich.

Thank you, Matt

Sorry to see this ,well done on the quick action to put the fire out,little comfort to you but could have been a hell of a lot worse .
Looks like the LH side carb may have flooded and ignited with a back fire,did the filter melt ?,only asking as have carbed 6 and I'am sure that from your bad experience others would be interested to know .
Hope you get it sorted ,cheers.

Yes, the filter did melt. Just as I pulled out, I noticed a cylinder stop firing. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw flames coming out of the engine lid.

Mat

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