Dennis,

Thanks for the flash point link. Good information.

My fire started only one mile into my trip to work on a chilly day.  I
doubt the exhaust manifold had reached 420� or the flash point of motor
oil.

It may be that the failed breather o-ring was putting out a fine oily mist
at the time. There seemed to be a thick layer of gunk on the top of the
engine. I had 220# of sand and salt on my hatch all winter and hadn't done
an inspection all that time.  Protocol updated ;-)

I'm still blaming a failed (Magnecor) ignition wire.

Happy holidaze everyone!

John Meeks
'91 Multivan
Stock 2.1

http://www.vanagonauts.com
Vanagon Rescue Squad
with iPhone and Android apps
On Dec 24, 2012 8:24 PM, "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:

> http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/flash-point-fuels-d_937.html
>
> The flash point of engine is not all that high. The exhaust manifold can
> easily vaporize it especially with the engine heavily loaded and at the
> edge
> of turning cherry red. Then you can even have it reach auto ignition so a
> spark or flame is not needed to start the fire. The propylene glycol in
> antifreeze can also burn with some help. Oil and antifreeze can make for a
> nasty fire as once it gets going the burning is sustained. Gasoline is
> almost harder to really burn if there is any ventilation. When it hits
> something hot it flashes and disappears rapidly. Once the fuel supply stops
> so will the fire until other things start burning to fuel it? Many engine
> fires are caused by other things before it becomes a fuel fire but the
> gasoline is usually blamed.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> John Meeks
> Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2012 11:39 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Fire!
>
> Dick ~ Your pix look a lot like my post-engine fire. I replaced the melted
> parts with used salvage stuff and took a lot of time replacing the melted
> wires.
>
> My fire resulted from a failed crankcase breather tower o-ring spraying oil
> over the top of of the engine. I'm not sure what the ignition source was
> but
> I suspect arcing from a compromised spark plug wire.
>
> Bottom line is the repairs made me go through all the components and the
> result is a fine running engine.
>
> I'll state the obvious and suggest replacement of all fuel and coolant
> hoses
> in the engine compartment.
>
> Good luck with whatever course you choose to salvage your treasure :-)
>
> John Meeks
> '91 Multivan 250k miles
> Stock 2.1
>
> http://www.vanagonauts.com
> Vanagon Rescue Squad
> with iPhone and Android apps
> On Dec 18, 2012 10:19 PM, "Dick Wong" <sailingfc@dslextreme.com> wrote:
>
> > Here are some pictures.  Both links are to the same site.
> >
> >
> >
> > Fire pictures.
> > <
> > https://plus.google.com/photos/109269280604562976036/albums/5823165646
> > 80081
> > 9169?authkey=CKyk1tixnrXNDw>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > https://plus.google.com/photos/109269280604562976036/albums/5823165646
> > 800819
> > 169?authkey=CKyk1tixnrXNDw
> >
> >
> >
> > -Dick Wong-
> > 78 Scirocco
> > Original Owner
> > 87 Syncro 2.5
> >
> > Third Owner
> >
> > 12 Golf TDI
> >
> > Original Co-Owner
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Dick Wong [mailto:sailingfc@dslextreme.com]
> > Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 3:37 PM
> > To: 'vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM'
> > Subject: Fire!
> >
> >
> >
> > I'm okay.
> >
> >
> >
> > Early November I bought my first Vanagon.  1987 GL Syncro with a
> > Audi/VW 2.5L I5 conversion.
> >
> >
> >
> > Today I had an engine fire.
> >
> >
> >
> > Coming to a stop on a freeway off ramp the clutch pedal goes to the
> > floor without disengaging.  Step on it again and same results.  Van is
> > lurching forward because the clutch won't release.  Hitting the brake
> > slowed it but I can feel the engine pushing forward. I shut off the
> > ignition to bring it to a stop.  I look in my mirrors and see smoke
> > coming from the rear air intakes.  I hop out in the middle of the road
> > and run to the back hoping it might only be steam.  No luck, it's
> > stinky smoke and starting to turn black.
> > I get my cell phone and dial 911.  I stand there and watch flames
> > starting to come from the bottom of the engine.  More black smoke.  I
> > think to myself, I am going to watch my "new" Syncro burn to the
> > ground.  All of a sudden there is a loud hiss and the smoke turns to
> > white steam and water is streaming from the engine.  The coolant tank
> > melted and sprayed coolant on to the fire and put it out.  Shortly
> > after an highway patrol pull up.  A few minutes later the fire truck
> > arrives.
> >
> >
> >
> > Not a nice day.
> >
> >
> >
> > My theory is:  Clutch hose or the slave had a catastrophic failure and
> > when I stepped on the clutch, the brake fluid sprayed out on to the
> > exhaust piping (exhaust runs forward on the driver side).  The fluid
> > flashed and started burning.
> >
> >
> >
> > It's sitting in my driveway now.  I'll start looking at the damages
> > another day.  I'm too depressed to do anything now.  Fireman said that
> > it might be a total loss.
> >
> >
> >
> > -Dick Wong-
> >
> > 78 Scirocco
> >
> > Original Owner
> >
> > 87 Syncro 2.5
> >
> > Third Owner
> >
> > 12 Golf TDI
> >
> > Original Co-Owner
> >
>
>