vege engine fire

[t25tony]

Hi, Last year I had a replacement 1.9 water boxer vege engine fitted into my T25, on Tuesday evening driving home from work the I saw smoke coming from the rear of the van and then flames. I turned the engine off got away from the van and called the fire service, The van interior is fine but the engine bay suffered the damage. The fireman says he could tell it was a new engine because it still looks new. I was wondering whether the engine would be permanently damaged due to fire or would it be transferable to another van. The fire is believed to have started from the carb, the only thing not replaced by Volksmagic last year!

Many Thanks

Tony

[ghost123uk]

Hi, Last year I had a replacement 1.9 water boxer vege engine fitted into my T25, on Tuesday evening driving home from work the I saw smoke coming from the rear of the van and then flames. I turned the engine off got away from the van and called the fire service, The van interior is fine but the engine bay suffered the damage. The fireman says he could tell it was a new engine because it still looks new. I was wondering whether the engine would be permanently damaged due to fire or would it be transferable to another van. The fire is believed to have started from the carb, the only thing not replaced by Volksmagic last year!

Many Thanks

Tony

Sorry to hear of your misfortune

A timely reminder to the rest of us to check fuel lines etc as mentioned in our "wiki" as it is a known issue with these (20 to 30 year old) fuel systems.

Re using the engine, it is impossible to say for sure without examining it. It obviously depends on how hot it all got before the flames were extinguished. Chances are it will be OK I would guess though. The main thing to look at would be the rubber seals between the head and block. Also any / all of the "ancillaries", alternator, dizzy, fuel pump etc may be / will be damaged.

Do you have any pics of the damage ?

[t25tony]

Thanks for the advice, I haven't got any photo's yet as I'm waiting to see the van in the compound. Will have a look though. Thanks Tony

[billybigspud]

why do you need to transfer it. can you not re use the bus? make sure you buy it back if it is a total loss against the insurance. dont want another one crushed for no reason.

[Plasticman]

come on billy, you dont buy back whats yours and you havent sold
mike

[t25tony]

Not quite sure yet whether the van can be saved, I know the wiring will need doing, all the peripherals and a respray. I don't know if I have the heart to go through it all again. I have been suffering with my health too, so its just a lot to think about. Made me feel more optimistic though! Thanks Tony

[billybigspud]

come on billy, you dont buy back whats yours and you havent sold
mike

you know what i meant mike dearest. dont tell me you wouldnt like to get your hands ( grinder ) on it.
insurance companys will see these vans as almost worthless unless an agreed value has been made. they will just write it off so the opportunity to buy it back would be good and probably a good earner.

[Plasticman]

I know what you means but stop using the buy back phrase, pretty please as with use folk will assume that this is the case, oh and yes I trhink I would like very much to get my smaller grinder upon it...
I got news that a very very rare and special item is heading my way,.........
by the way is your van up and running nice now

mike

[billybigspud]

oh yeah, you been pulling hens teeth again? spill the beans then!!!!!
all up and running now. think i need a new clutch though but it will hold till the end of the season. no cooker either as yet. starting up a new business so all my funds have been consumed by that. might do one night at dubs in the forest with the kids on sat if i get home early enough.
been away much?

[Plasticman]

NO Im not spilling beans yet, when it arrives form err shall we say eastern europe I will take photos and post.....
I been away a bit, but busy with all sorts,
what oven and stuff are you looking to fit to yours.
hard times to start new ventures but that said if you can get it going now then you are standing in good stead.
mike

[billybigspud]

want one of them smev combined things. the slim line one.
hmmmm eastern europe you say!!!!
is it a van full of Albanians

[Plasticman]

theyre good them, you fitting an oven?
albania nearish but no sorry.
mike