Diesel fire risk

[Fozzie]

This is nicely covered in the Wiki here, but given the turnover on the forums, and that not everyone reads all of the WIki so may not stumble across it, I think it's worth posting a reminder here.

The problem is the control box at the back of the engine bay... I opened mine because I had starting problems, and spotted what looked like ash rising upwards as I did so. The black you can see covering everything in the picture is soot.

dieselfusebox.jpg

The problem was a hairline crack in the 50A fuse - when it did work (and the van started) I imagine it arced quite nicely, all hidden away in the box.

Now cleaned up, with new fuse (and glow plugs) fitted, but I thought others might like to see how bad it can get. You might like to pop your own box open sometime.

[Cafnod]

Hi Jim
People never check the strip fuse even though strip fuses are a servicable item............
I learned this working on CAV commercial vehicle regulator boxs a long time ago.
In more modern times BMW's, if the beemer has all the bells and whistles these are controlled by a seperate fusebox under the back seat. Fed by a strip fuse in a holder on the o/s/f i/wing near the battery via a long cable. Fuse develops crack, central locking starts messing around, all kinds of issues. All for a fuse for less than a £1............
Last one I did had just left BMW after a £300++ Service
Please do as Fozzie suggests, your van could go up otherwise

[bil.57]

Hi there, I have a problem where the van started & ran, switched it off for ten minutes & turned the key with nothing but a short crackle from inside the cab No smoke or burning smell to speak of.
Now looking at this pic is like looking at
Guess I'm going to clean it out then Have you's came across this problem?
Any more advice to bring her back.
1990 Autohomes Kamper 1.6TD 5 speed The Guk!