[T3] Fire!

[Jonathan Stiles]

The only engine fire I ever had was in an old early 80's Chevy van. I was
helping my buddy figure why it wouldn't run after he had tuned up the van.
I was a misplaced plug wire which caused the carb to backfire and flame up
on us. I turned away to grab the fire extinguisher, but by the time I got
back (only a few seconds) my buddy had panicked and quickly put the fire
out...with a handful of oil absorbing SAND.

He nearly lost his job at the small mechanic's shop where he worked.


On Thu, Mar 13, 2014 at 9:54 AM, Mike Fisher <fisherfarms at gmail.com> wrote:

> I think Adriel has a Volvo too.  My scariest car fire was in my hot rod '66
> Corvette, but got away without serious damages that day!
>
>
> On Thu, Mar 13, 2014 at 7:03 AM, Dennis Stiefel <dlstiefel at dekalbk12.org
> >wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >
> > Well, not a V.W., but want to put this out there as a reminder. I am
> still
> > shook up...
> >
> > If you are trying to start an engine, have a good large fire extinguisher
> > handy! It could have gotten out of hand VERY fast, but had to take a
> > second,
> > calm down, then get a fire extinguisher from the Mercedes a hundred feet
> > away. If you have hair that might get in the way, put it back before
> > starting repair work. I lost part of my handle bar mustache and singed a
> > good part of my hair in the back. Still not sure how it happened, other
> > than
> > the hood was at that time only part way up. Other damage was a burned up
> > wiper blade, singed paint, and singed spark plug wire. We are blessed I
> > didn't burn down a rare classic auto, the garage, or worse Oma's home!
> >
> > The fire most likely was due to a leaking carbrettor gasket leading to
> fuel
> > poring into the manifold. From there, not sure what happened. I was never
> > taught in auto class when we would do the same procedures to have a fire
> > extinguisher handy. No excuse, as what matters is I learned a life lesson
> > and hope to pass it on and save someone or something.
> >
> >
> > Thank you so very much~
> > Adriel
> >
> > -------------------------
> >
> > 1971 Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - Located in Coastal San Diego County
> > 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TD-T - Dog Wgn
> > Master's Student, A.S.U., living in north central Mesa, AZ
> >
> >
> > Other than the hair loss are you OK?  I've been there before with a and
> > beetle one time and some non VWs other times and the worst was when
> > Clementine caught fire in 83 when I pulled up at what was my FLAPS at the
> > time when I was just a young 16 year old lad. That's when I learned to
> keep
> > your fuel hoses changed on a regular bases.
> >
> > Dennis Stiefel
> > 72 Fastback FI MT
> > 71 STD. Beetle
> > 67 Ford F-100 (hart of Crown Vic)
> > Rainsville, AL
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > http://lists.vwtype3.org/listinfo.cgi/type3-vwtype3.org
> > Contact gregm at vwtype3.org if you need help with the list.
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Eugene, Oregon
>
> http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/mr_bojangles500/
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