Unexplainable Fire

[ChrisDubbya]

I\'m still very upset so won\'t go into detail on the condition of the car.

But anyone have any ideas what would cause a fire in the engine bay to start while driving an FD.  

Brakes and steering were affected and appears to have started drivers side near the brake/Clutch fluid area but very hard to tell.

Any ideas much appreciated

[grinder]

based on me having no idea

i would go for something like fuel &/or Oil droping onto the turbo or exhaust manifold

but thats only a guess

your gonna need something hot and something flamable to start a fire - narrow it down from that point

hope the car is OK though

Stu

[Gman]

Didn\'t someone have an engine fire recently that stemmed from the turbo area?

[ChrisDubbya]

Thanks, but unfortunately the fire must have got to the wiring loom followed the wires through to the fuse box in the driver footwell and totalled the dash.  

Also destroyed everything in the engine bay, even melted the bonnet onto the engine.  Several small explosions were also apparently heard and seen while I was taken to casualty...  No serious burns, just some feeble attempts to put out the fire with a £10 extinguisher from halfords

any owners of UK FD\'s just to let you know their are now a maximum of 123 ever.  Might increase the value a little.  If anyone spots a bargain rx please let me know! :reallymad

[grinder]

good god matey

that sounds serious - glad you are OK though

and cheap FD\'s they are few kicking around

[MikeLMR]

search on the US forum (//www.rx7club.com) for  "fuel pulsation damper"

[Clarky]

Maybe helpfull


22. RECALL: ENGINE COMPARTMENT CATCHES FIRE WITHOUT WARNING

Affects 1993-1994 RX-7 models manufactured before Dec. 21, 1994.  
Beginning in 1993, a number of RX-7s burst into flames without
warning.  The NHTSA investigated and concluded in a report by Jeff
Quandt that turbocharger malfunctions were to blame for the fires.
(A free copy of report #PE94-009 may be obtained by calling the
NHTSA hotline on 1-800-424-9393)
Mazda redesigned the turbo charger housings on August 1, 1993 but
claimed in a letter to the NHTSA that the redesign was simply to
make the turbocharger housings easier to manufacture.
Mazda conducted their own investigation on four test cars
and concluded that the fires were caused by leaks in the cooling
system.  They claimed that coolant pooled on top of the engine,
became concentrated by boiling, and then caught fire as it dripped
onto a hot exhaust.  The fact that a recall involving the cooling
system cost Mazda a few hundred dollars per car versus a few
thousand dollars for turbo charger replacement may have had
something to do with their claim.  The text of the recall letter
follows:
--------------
1993-94 RX-7 Coolant Leak [Recall Campaign #54407]
Dear RX-7 Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of
the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Mazda has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle
safety exists in certain 1993-94 RX-7 models.  We have decided to
conduct Recall Campaign #54407 for replacement of selected engine
cooling system components in those vehicles, beginning August 8,
1994.

If your RX-7 has been subjected to high-speed operation and then
parked before cooling down, the residual engine heat combined with
build-up of pressure in the cooling system can raise the temperature
of the coolant to levels where the integrity of the cooling system
can be compromised.  Repeated operation of the vehicle in this manner
may produce cooling system leaks.

Under some circumstances, the leaking coolant mixture can collect
on top of the engine, where some of the water can evaporate, increasing
the concentration of the coolant.  If coolant then leaks onto the
exhaust manifold, an engine compartment fire could be the result.

Your RX-7 is equipped with a water level sensor that warns you of
low coolant levels with both a warning light and accompanying
buzzer.  In most cases, you would be warned of a low water level
prior to the point where enough coolant had been leaked to present
any serious risk of fire.



26. FUEL LEAKAGE RECALL - ENGINE FIRES
CAMPAIGN #60504

The problem is that fuel lines become brittle because of excessive
engine compartment temperatures.  Eventually, they leak fuel and the
car catches fire.  The recall involves replacing the fuel lines with
a different material and adding a fan control relay which runs the
cooling fan for 10 minutes after the engine is shut off.  

Affects:
All 1993 RX-7 models manufactured beginning December 1, 1991
and 1994 RX-7  models manufactured through September, 1994.

VINs affected:
JM1FD33**P0200001 - JM1FD33**R0303550