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Engine fire today 200

uid 7339's pic
posted by  kaperz81 on  Fri Jul 30 19:06 CST 2004
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last visit: Wed Oct 15 14:06 CST 2014
[RELATED]

I havent gone in and checked it out yet, but today on the way to work the car lost power and died while driving uphill, coasted to a stop on the side of the road. The car continued to keep cranking over continuously, even when the ignition was off and the key removed, so i opened the hood and disconnected the battery, which solved that problem. I then smell an electric smokeish smell, and look down at the bottom of the timing belt cover to see a small fire, about the size of a beer can, which I proceed to put out by pouring a few quarts of water on it. The fire was actually the bottom of the timing belt cover (plastic) so it took some effort to put out, but no longer than a few minutes.

Question, what might have caused this to happen in the first place, and how can I prevent it from happening again? I assume it was a short in the wiring, and the heat from the continuous craking (a few minutes while I searched for the wrench to disconnect the battery) caused the wires to heat up to the point of causing a fire.

I walked straight to work a few blocks after the fire was out, and got a ride home from a friend, so I have yet to investigate the situation, but once I get in there I should be able to diagnose it much better.

Thanks for any suggestions,
--
Zack Silver 83' 242Ti (220k)








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    Engine fire today 200

    posted by  someone claiming to be MelM on  Sun Aug 1 17:55 CST 2004 [RELATED]

    I've told this story before but: I had the keep cranking after dying thing happen to me. The previous owner had installed a battery disconnect so one turn of that knob and I had time to think a few minutes. Reconnected, and it kept cranking. Disconnected, thought some more. Reconnected, restarted, and after it started Ijumped out and disconnected one of the small (outboard one I think) wires to the solenoid which kills the solenoid. I finished the trip and installed a switch under the hood in that circuit. I bought a used ignition lock at a junkyard and installed just the new used switch. Haven't had a recurrance. My conclusion: if your ignition switch is doing strange things like loosing everything but the engine until you carefully turn the switch back into position II to get back your radio, turn signal, wipers, etc., then don't delay, change the switch. I didn't have a fire but I guess I was lucky there was a disconnect.








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    Engine fire today 200

    uid 7339's pic
    posted by  kaperz81 on  Sat Jul 31 21:07 CST 2004
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    last visit: Wed Oct 15 14:06 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    So I tore it apart today, wires were all burned to a crisp from the alternator to the starter. Bought some new wires and looms, took everything apart and rebuilt the remains of the wiring harness this afternoon.

    Car runs well, only issue is the oil pressure guage is pegged at 5 bar, even when I switch the wires on the sending unit, and the alternator belts squeak a bit, so tomorrow I'll get back in there and take care of that.

    I think I'll be happy as long as there is no more fires.
    --
    Zack Silver 83' 242Ti (220k)








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      Engine fire today 200

      posted by  Trev29 on  Sun Aug 1 00:53 CST 2004
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      last visit: Fri Oct 17 05:56 CST 2014
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      Run the alt and oil wires along the firewall to the passenger side inner fender and then to the alt and oil pressure sender, rather than under the front of the engine.
      --
      1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans








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        Engine fire today 200

        uid 7339's pic
        posted by  kaperz81 on  Sun Aug 1 06:05 CST 2004
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        last visit: Wed Oct 15 14:06 CST 2014
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        I ended up running them the original way, under the engine beacuse the passenger side of the engine on the firewall is the area where the turbo is, and where there is a lotta heat. The whole turbo setup, and turbo watercooling setup pretty much dominates this space.
        --
        Zack Silver 83' 242Ti (220k)








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    Engine fire today 200

    posted by  someone claiming to be art on  Sat Jul 31 03:54 CST 2004 [RELATED]

    Yes, read Bob's post and my remark about the two wire clamps cutting into the red alternator wire -- they're right below the timing cover, and I believe in 81 they would not have any rubber covering.








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    Engine fire today 200

    posted by  someone claiming to be twoforty on  Sat Jul 31 01:50 CST 2004 [RELATED]

    You were fortunate.....if you read "Bob from Pittsburgh"'s post !!

    That's two in a week ! Think I'll let my brick sit for a few days while I check the wireing harnesses !!!!








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    Deja vu 200

    posted by  Trev29 on  Sat Jul 31 01:01 CST 2004
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    last visit: Fri Oct 17 05:56 CST 2014
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    See http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=832851
    Gives credibility to Bob from Pittsburg's post.
    --
    1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans








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    Engine fire today 200

    posted by  someone claiming to be bob on  Fri Jul 30 21:14 CST 2004 [RELATED]

    Probable cause is engine wiring harness cancer. The insulation flakes off the wiring harness causing shorts. Cure is harness replacement.







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