Gauge failed. No matter how you cut it IMHO.
time lend a hand to RV where we can and to move on all....


This is also the reason many hose shops will not build fuel hose's for people.

 

So glad we have proof positive of the source and that the fire was not any worse than it was (stuck in a moving car, the gas station going up etc etc) what a reality check!

How can we help Randy?

 

Maybe let Randy drive Leroy until the repairs are done?

 

Roger,not your fault,bad stuff happens to us all. I know how bad you must feel but still not you fault. I had an engine fire once and I had used factory fuel lines, one failed and i got lucky and caught it quick, I had just finished building a new engine in my charger and it would have been an expensive fire as my insurance company did not want to cover it because the motor was not stock,oh man. Ended up being mostly on me and tough for me. You are a good guy trying to do the right thing and I applaud you, but not your fault. Ray

 

Randy states that he tested the system and the gauge was leaking from a failure in the bourdon tube. No surprises here- these things can and do fail.

If owners want to leave such gauges on permanently then roll the dice. No one's fault -just one of those unfortunate things in life one should learn from.

Pressure gauges generally have a protection built into them such that if [when] the coil eventually goes the force blows out through the back of the gauge preferentially and therefore does not blow the glass into the face of the operator as he looks at it. Manufacturers do not go to that trouble for nothing.

PTFE tape is not recommended for use on instrument connections simply because sloppy fitters often use too much of the stuff and then there is a danger that excess tailings of the tape will be forced into the narrow restriction inside the coil resulting in a blockage and thus a false pressure reading when the system is commissioned- this in turn may induce the operator to undo a joint [mechanical type -not moroccan weed!] whilst the system is still pressurised. Such errors have killed people.

Regards

Fred

 

Randy,
I know that the word 'lucky' doesn't seem to apply in any way right now but believe me, you were lucky. My 88 burned last year right in the garage and I was very lucky in 2 ways. One, I got out alive, and 2 the house didn't burn down. The house was damaged but I was not. I was drenched in gas as I had just replaced all fuel lines, fuel pump, filtr etc... Just 5 minutes earlier the car was running perfectly. I had just turned it off and was cleaning up after the work. These engine fires are not pretty and everyone should be ready to deal with it if it happens. I will have an extenguisher ready for next time. Now, I should say that I am one of the old fogeys who has worked on cars for over 40 years with never a hint of a fire, so I was a little like 'It can't happen to me...'. Enjoy your car from here...Someone up there likes you...

 

In keeping with the theme of dealing with 928 fires, Grainger has a Buckeye brand Halotron 2.5 lb extinguisher currently for $124.85. I got one last month for $112, which IMHO is a great price. It has a hose on it & small bracket at the top for hanging, so some might keep it in the garage & not their car. I think its a very substantial unit for the money. You just have to have a business account with Grainger.

Here's the link:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/BUC...nguisher-3GRX4

 

Randy when you get your car back i would suggest to prop the rear hatch open about 2 inches, bungee the hatch so it wont open further,
remove the floor carpets and hatch carpet
then roll down the windows keep the sunroof closed,
wear a dust mask and glasses and take the car for a ride at 60 MPH for a few miles with blower turned on full this should let most of the fire extinguisher stuff fly out.
Also consider before your drive use compressed air with both doors open as well as the hatch and have the wind blowing through the doors to carry away the dust.

My 84 Euro had about 4lb of dry powder in when i got it it had a fuel tank fire that burned off the rear bumper, anyway it took doing this to get out most of the dust.. try it you`ll have fun

 

Went to paint shop yesterday.

Getting close.

 

That was a close call.
Happy that you brought her back to life that fast.

 

Looking forward to viewing the "Phoenix"

 

Wishing you the best Randy and I hope that it turns out better then it ever was.

It was **** luck, but you acted quick.

Ask the paint shop who they use for interior cleaning and have it detailed

 

Interior was detailed exceptionally well before the engine work even began - covered by insurance.

 

standard policy or special....times like these make me reaccess my insurance policies

andy

 

Wow. Please post the after pictures ..