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Holy smoke.... the car is on fire

KaryadiKaryadiCA, 2007 JPS Coupe
While caravanning with the So Cal SOC folks to Moro Bay, my car caught fire on the engine bay. I think it has something to do with the fuel line and the hot exhaust, as I smell gas after refueling at Santa Maria. However, since I was not sure if that is mine or the car in front, I thought I would check when we get in Moro Bay. However, about 50 miles after refueling, the car run rough, so I pulled out to the nearest exit, when I stopped on the stop sign, there is an explosion at the back side, and the lady in the car behind me was yelling, the car is on fire.... I jumped out, open the engine lid, and fire is going on the engine bay. I tried to douse it with a bottle of water given by the car behind me, which I think is not really a good idea since it is fuel and heat, but I got to do something. Luckily a truck from public work happened to be close by. They stopped, blocked the traffic, pulled out their fire extinguisher and kill the flame. We pushed the car to the nearest gas station and called Jim (MUSBJIM) to let him know the situation as he was still driving to Moro, and called John @ JPS.
Currently the car is in the process of being trailered down by John and hopefully Monday the adjuster can come and see the car.

All & all I am grateful it is not worse than what it was, but I am kind of mad that this happened and that I missed the Moro event.

I have to thank all the folks at SOC for their friendship especially to Jim that picked me up and drove me to Moro, and also to Wil that share his cabriolet so at least I can enjoy the morning of the city parade.

1957 JPS Coupe #3

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KaryadiKaryadiCA, 2007 JPS Coupe
While caravanning with the So Cal SOC folks to Moro Bay, my car caught fire on the engine bay. I think it has something to do with the fuel line and the hot exhaust, as I smell gas after refueling at Santa Maria. However, since I was not sure if that is mine or the car in front, I thought I would check when we get in Moro Bay. However, about 50 miles after refueling, the car run rough, so I pulled out to the nearest exit, when I stopped on the stop sign, there is an explosion at the back side, and the lady in the car behind me was yelling, the car is on fire.... I jumped out, open the engine lid, and fire is going on the engine bay. I tried to douse it with a bottle of water given by the car behind me, which I think is not really a good idea since it is fuel and heat, but I got to do something. Luckily a truck from public work happened to be close by. They stopped, blocked the traffic, pulled out their fire extinguisher and kill the flame. We pushed the car to the nearest gas station and called Jim (MUSBJIM) to let him know the situation as he was still driving to Moro, and called John @ JPS.
Currently the car is in the process of being trailered down by John and hopefully Monday the adjuster can come and see the car.

All & all I am grateful it is not worse than what it was, but I am kind of mad that this happened and that I missed the Moro event.

I have to thank all the folks at SOC for their friendship especially to Jim that picked me up and drove me to Moro, and also to Wil that share his cabriolet so at least I can enjoy the morning of the city parade.

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WOLFGANGWOLFGANG'89 CMC FWB, FL Supporting Member
OUCH - thank goodness you caught it when you did. Nothing sadder than strands of burnt fiberglass matting! Ever since my old '66 911 (years ago) backfired and caught fire at a toll plaza (very visible extinguishers there, thank goodness)- I carry 2 fire extinguishers - $20 a piece are cheap piece of mind! Safety triangles, flares, flashlight and a first aid kit add to my emergency kit!
Alan MerklinAlan MerklinDrclock - Elkins, West Virginia Supporting Member
Stan,
I bought the cable operated Fire Bottle System off of ebay for about half price. 5lb. bottle, main valve, cable and a couple fittings were included for $145. mounted the bottle in the truck resting on the fuel tank and secured with clamps to the firewall. Ran the push cable along the hood cable into the car. Spliced in a piece of steel brake line from the bottle to the engine bay where I tee'd it off to two nozzles made from air tool couplers.

http://www.firebottleracing.com/The%20Facts.htm

This will work also.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/nascar-10lbs-fire-bottle_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ107069QQihZ005QQitemZ150240585153QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Fire-Supression-System-5Lbs_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33722QQihZ001QQitemZ110247684776QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
WOLFGANGWOLFGANG'89 CMC FWB, FL Supporting Member
I would not spend $200 on one - who cares about environmentally friendly when it comes to putting out a car fire. Burning fiberglass and gas is far more hazardous to environment. Fire- extinguishers have a shelf life of only a few years (warranty is about 5 years) and then have to be replaced (or recharged at about the same price). Don't go by the gauge - weighing ti proper check. A 2.5# extinguisher is good for about 10 seconds of fire fighting - hence need for 2. Go with at least the white Class ABC units - not the red lower class AB. KIDDE has twin packs for about $40.
MusbJimMusbJim'14 VS SoCal Supporting Member
Eddy -

Glad you were able to pull over safely and had help from those utility workers who put out the engine fire! At least we were able to get you to Morro Bay and join us for that night's dinner and the show and parade the next day!

I'll give you a holler when we cook up another cruise in SoCal/OC. You can meet us wherever we are staging and jump in an empty Speedy right-seat!

Keep in touch!

Peace - Out!
FM Former Member
I feel for you; hope you get it back in shape soon. This is pretty common in all aircooled VW/Porsche powered cars; got to be on top of the condition and installation of the fuel lines as well as keep your fire extinguisher on board. I'm sort of glad that the damage wasn't more extensive since you'll be able to fix it. We've seen the outstanding work by some of the forum members here in getting back from the dead a lot worse cases than yours. Wish you the best!
JogyverJogyver
Sorry to hear about your car. That thing isn't even a year old since it was finished. Did you inform the builder what happened?
Once you get fixed I suggest you invest in one of these http://www.safecraft.com/product_page.asp?ProductCatID=1&ProductSubCatID=4

I have one in my car . It's cheap insurance and it could save your life. I also have installed a couple of the LT systems into a few glass 32 Coupes.
Remember owners -the fuel and the cooling fan air draw makes one hell of a hot furnace. It will burn up the resin and gelcoat in seconds.

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FM Former Member
Really a bad break Eddy. It must have been a tough weekend for coupes on 101. Rick J and I stopped for gas in Carmel Valley driving north from Morro. We watched a white 356 coupe go by on a flatbed -- black soot all around the the seam on the engine lid.

So if it's any consolation, you're not the only one (and year of manufacture doesn't seem to matter).
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