944J

Our white '86 944na had an engine fire today.

We just installed yellow konis all around and drilled rotors in the front with padig break pads and new tires.

My question is will I get to keep the car for parts on my other 944 after we get a check from the insurance?

Or should I make a FAST 944 out of it?

nine-44

Candidate for racer, Hmmm, yep that's my vote. Make it MEAN!

Dave in Chicago

That is a very big drag. I trust nobody was injured. May I ask if the source of the fire appeared to be the fuel lines running up to the rail? This was a source of a recall by Porsche as I recall. A phone call to PCNA in Atlanta with the VIN# can tell you if the recall applied and the fix performed.

I only ask because we seem to get a spat of these 944 engine fires from time to time. I'm kinda wondering how many have had the recall work done.

Sorry for loss.

mrmunky

after this next work, stainless steel fuel lines are coming. $70 is cheap insurance against an engine fire.

944J

Good to know about that since I have another 86 944na that I got for $500 and I am fixing up.

Tell me more about finding out about the recall.

Thanks!

No one was hurt

Danno - this is my new username since I lost my password for jordanolder

Best regards,

Jordan (in Ventura)

User 462021

<a href="http://www.rennbay.com/rennlist.html" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO ENTER A CHANCE TO WIN FREE SS FUEL LINES</a>

Jerad

I know how you feel, I had an engine fire a few months ago. I leaked fuel out on to the head and headers. My insurance co gave me a good deal, so I bought the car back from them. I plan on rebuilding this summer when I have some money. If you have no emotional attachment to it, I say keep for a parts car. If you have an emotional attachment to it then rebuild it.

Unfortunately, SS fuel lines are no guarantee against fuel leaks. The connectors are also a weak point on these cars. The best thing to do is check them every so often and carry at least one fire extinguisher.

Blue S2

this may be a dumb question...but if your 944 engine catches fire...how do you go about putting it out if you carry an extinguisher on you? How would you pop the hood?

Jerad

You pop the hood just like normal (the hood cable hasn't melted yet), do not open the hood anymore than it already is (remember more oxygen means a bigger fire), and hit from the side. Luckily I had read about Perry's fire before mine happened and I knew what to do. Most fire extinguishers will probably just knock the fire down a bit and the fire department will probably have to douse it just to be safe.

Randy_J

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Blue S2:
<strong>this may be a dumb question...but if your 944 engine catches fire...how do you go about putting it out if you carry an extinguisher on you? How would you pop the hood?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">1. stop the car,
2. shut off ignition to stop fuel pump
3. pop the hood release - do NOT open the HOOD!!!
4. insert the FE nozzle into the hood opening
5. fire away!! Note that the other reason to stop the engine is so that it does not ingest the common household FE chemicals that are not good for engine internals. In fact, it really isn't very good for the engine, underhood wiring etc anyway, but better than nothing!
6. some people recommend that you cut or disconnect the ground strap to the battery immediately to prevent an electrical fire since a lot of the wiring would have melted in the fire.

I'm carrying a 5+ lb Halon FE (no longer available due to environmental hazard). You might be able to find one in an older computer room installation - that's where I got mine! The new alternative systems are pretty pricey, but worth it when you compare it to a engine fire!

Dave in Chicago

I don't have any documentation on the recall, just heard about it on the list. I picked up the phone and called PCNA. Low and behold, they track recalls by VIN# AND track whether the recall work was ever reported being done (at least via the dealer network). If I recall (no pun) they did ask for some proof of ownership to access the information (registration or title or something). There number should be available via the Porsche website. I called them almost 2 years ago. My mechanic also confirmed that my car appeard to have the updated part (modified fittings, different rubber compound I believe).

It's worth checking on our cars. I estimate I read about at least 5-10 944 engine fires a year on this list and I ain't in here every day.

Good luck.

nine-44

Opening the hood would allow more air to get in. Use an extinguisher under the car the best you can by smothering it.

Jerad

Another reason to shut it off is eventually the belts will become deformed due to the heat and fall off the tensioners, and well there goes your internals as well. I also had to disconnect the negative battery terminal because my headlights were going crazy, they kept going up and down.

944J

The fireman said the best thing is to use a garden hose (or fire hose)from underneath since the heated water turns to vapor and the steam really kills the fire. They sprayed from underneath and only opened the hood after letting the vapor kill the fire.

He said it was much better than the red fire extinguisher I had in my hand at the time.

So I guess if you can pop the hood and get the hose in the opening then that is the best thing or going from under the car at a forward and up angle.

Blue S2

yeah, ok wouldnt it be hard to hit it from underneath? I know my car has a plate underneath to cover up everything! Only a few slots for stuff to drip. (i guess those might be good enough!)