I have somehow developed a fear of an Engine Fire , probably from various threads that I have read , from You Tube and from friends who have said that they saw a VW the other day that was on fire ! My questions are , 1. what is the main cause of an engine fire on an air cooled bus and , 2. What safety precautions have members taken to guard against or indeed put out a fire should that occur ?
Fire in the Hole
- Thread starter Linney
- Start date
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Mostly poor maintenance or inheriting someone else's substandard workmanship - fuel lines that are decaying and routed over the top of the engine so that when the fuel does leak, it does so onto an already very hot area. I think some electric fuel pumps compound the issue by continuing to pump fuel onto it.
There are a few discussions about replacing fuel lines and where to route them, and about extinguishers and the like. I've got VW Aircooled works or something like that, it was on the traders section on here
There are a few discussions about replacing fuel lines and where to route them, and about extinguishers and the like. I've got VW Aircooled works or something like that, it was on the traders section on here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111430592938?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Have a look at this, it is a fraction of the cost of the auto fire extinguishers...
Have a look at this, it is a fraction of the cost of the auto fire extinguishers...
Typically, bad electrics cause VW fires - really you need a spark from somewhere to ignite fuel.
You will struggle to ignite petrol on a hot exhaust, it will just evaporate.
That said, it's still not good to have a fuel leak. Modern fuel contains a lot of ethanol (5%) which degrades old style fuel lines. Make sure yours are R9 rated - there's plenty of information on Google. Also, fuel pumps and carbs can have the brass barbs pull out where the fuel hose connects to them. This can be solved by using wire wrapped around the pump/carb and the fuel hose clip.
Just make sure your electrical and fuel systems are up to scratch, and you'll be fine.
As backup, I have both an engine bay mounted extinguisher system, and a hand-held one in the cab.
You will struggle to ignite petrol on a hot exhaust, it will just evaporate.
That said, it's still not good to have a fuel leak. Modern fuel contains a lot of ethanol (5%) which degrades old style fuel lines. Make sure yours are R9 rated - there's plenty of information on Google. Also, fuel pumps and carbs can have the brass barbs pull out where the fuel hose connects to them. This can be solved by using wire wrapped around the pump/carb and the fuel hose clip.
Just make sure your electrical and fuel systems are up to scratch, and you'll be fine.
As backup, I have both an engine bay mounted extinguisher system, and a hand-held one in the cab.
Alex VW Heritage
Well-known member
I carry 4 extinguishers ion my van,
Auto in the engine bay:
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Fire-ExtinguisherDAUS-Low-Pressure-1Kg-Dry-PowderVertical-AC999E001_act_shop.product_pID_139050754.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Then a 1kg in the back and again in the cab,
and still got a little pointless one that i should take out TBH,
As Said most importnat thing is to replace your fuel line with some that is properly rated (All of our hose is properly rated)
Modern fuel has a higher Alchohol content (well Ethanol) which eats sub standard or older fuel lines.
Auto in the engine bay:
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Fire-ExtinguisherDAUS-Low-Pressure-1Kg-Dry-PowderVertical-AC999E001_act_shop.product_pID_139050754.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Then a 1kg in the back and again in the cab,
and still got a little pointless one that i should take out TBH,
As Said most importnat thing is to replace your fuel line with some that is properly rated (All of our hose is properly rated)
Modern fuel has a higher Alchohol content (well Ethanol) which eats sub standard or older fuel lines.
