Engine fire!!! But why?

[ant_43]

After having a recent close call with an engine fire last week i'm looking to find out why it happened and (obviously) making sure it doesn't happen again!

We had driven about 30mins and pulled off onto a slipway, waiting at the traffic lights a helpful motorist motioned to me to wind the window down and then told me that there was some smoke at the back........ and flames! We put the fire out with some help from another kind motorist with a professional fire extinguisher. Panic over! The small handheld extinguisher that came with the van was useless and had actually expired in 2003 Check your extinguishers!

The fire was on the top of the right hand side heat exchanger box, and thankfully hasn't seemed to have damaged anything. The van still runs as it did before? However, i did notice a largish patch of oil on the road when we returned on a recovery truck later in the day.

My local campervan "specialist" Bullibarn checked over the van quickly, saying that everything looked ok, but couldn't offer a possible cause of the fire. Apparently oil and even petrol falling onto a hot exhaust won't just go up in flames? They really couldn't seem to care less!

Would anyone please have any suggestions as to why the van decided to catch fire! Some seal / gasket gone causing oil to leak onto a hot exhaust part? I'm a little scared of driving the van again now!

oh - it's a 2.0 cu engine, 1981 hi-top.

[R0B]

I would be changing the fuel lines in the engine bay.For starters..

[camper]

Is this correct then the fire was on the top of the heat exchanger on the right hand side looking from the back of the van.The fuel pump is fitted on the right hand side to the back of the engine.I suggest you look at the fuel pump & fuel lines for damage or leaks .

[ant_43]

Fuel lines are all ok from a visible check over (the "specialist" also confirmed this). I have an aftermarket fuel pump fitted just after the tank. Forgive my lack of knowledge but had the van only 6-8 weeks & i'm more of a diesel head these days - Would the original fuel pump be bypassed / disconnected in some way?

Will check the lines and fuel pump again in the meantime.

[camper]

It might have a blanking plate where it was fitted but more likely to have the mechanical pump without its push rod on the engine.If you get underneath where the engine fits close to the gearbox right hand side you can see.

[bigherb]

I would expect it is oil leaking from the pushrod seals or possibly the rocker covers that has ignited. It is quite hard to catch oil alight but it can happen if there is enough heat in the manifold like after a motoraway run.

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Is the engine really clean, likewise for heat exchangers and tinware.

I come across engines literally encrusted with oily filth, half the reason for 'smells in the cab' and the other half for smoke, smells and burning.

Check all your wiring and flexibles in the engine bay, petrol and vacuum, all jubilee clips present and nothing perished or frayed.

Sort the oil leak


Cordialement,

[fullsunian]

[quote="ant_43"]
My local campervan "specialist" Bullibarn checked over the van quickly, saying that everything looked ok, but couldn't offer a possible cause of the fire. Apparently oil and even petrol falling onto a hot exhaust won't just go up in flames? They really couldn't seem to care less![quote]
Ive seen an air cooled CU catch fire due to an oil leak from a rocker cover dripping onto the heat exchanger. Best sort your oil leaks out, new rocker cover gaskets and push rod tube seals..

[boatdog]

from my experience with beetles and air cooled motors i would rule out a fuel fire it would most likly have been such an intense fire with petrol you would have lost the van before you got the hatch open and when you did lift the hatch with the extra airflow would really have blazed. i would go down the heat exchanger route the rockers and pushrods drip oil onto the top of the exchangers and mix with dust and dirt and makes a kind of oily grease that could be ingnited by the excaust headers
hope this helps

[ant_43]

Thank you so much everyone for all the suggestions above. When i get the time (not often these days!) i'll check / do the rocker cover gasket & push rod seals. So, where do i start? I am mechanically minded, but haven't a clue with this old Aircooled at the moment!

Ive seen an air cooled CU catch fire due to an oil leak from a rocker cover dripping onto the heat exchanger. Best sort your oil leaks out, new rocker cover gaskets and push rod tube seals..

That sounds exactly what happened with mine. Scary moment for sure!

[ajsimmo]

here's a guide in the wiki
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Pe ... eplacement
In my opinion, it's not too clear at this bit "Carefully twist the tubes, especially if they are old and corroding (if too bad they'll need replacing), and ease away from the engine whilst still twisting, until they come loose. "
To be clear, the tubes slide out sideways through the holes in the head. Don't twist and pull downwards!
Another point I disagree with is the valve adjustment after re-assembly. Wiki says "1/2 further turns", which could mean 1/2 turn or 1-2 turns depending how you read it, Haynes says 2 turns, but I along with lots of others prefer 1.5 turns clockwise after contact, as per http://www.ratwell.com/technical/Hydrau ... #2bornot2b
Fit new cork rocker cover gaskets when re-assembling.
Job's a good'n

[sarran1955]

Hello,

CU engine dismantle and rebuild photos on thread Help french mechanic needed.

May be in archive, so ask Rob administrator.

Look on my videos too!!

Cordialement,