I put an S5 NA block into my GSL-SE recently. It's been a nearly 2 year restoration process and tonight I tried to start it. It almost started the first time but didn't quite make it, and then it didn't get close after that. I eventually pulled the lower plugs and they were soaked, especially the rear (I think I have a stuck injector). So, to clean out the gas, I unplugged the injectors at the front coil (the little blue connector) and put some rags behind the spark plug hole to catch whatever blew out. I did not realize that I'd still have spark after doing this, so when a LOT of gas blew out the spark plug holes, it soaked the rags which immediately caught fire. and burned the driver's side of the engine.

I put it out quickly but will still need to repair the wiring harness, replace a few small parts, and just clean it up, but I'm worried about the engine itself. Is there anything else I need to do after this incident? Will the engine still be OK after this as long as I fix the obvious stuff on the outside? Or do I need to pull the engine and start over or do anything else to get back on track?



Also, in case anyone is wondering, those little Element fire extinguishers work. It left very little residue, but I wouldn't want to have just that in a larger fire. Still glad I invested in it though

 

Clean up the mess,repair the wiring and test all the circuits before adding fuel. The engine proper will be fine,the rotary is a hardy engine.
See my response to your other thread.

Sorry to see this happen,could have been much worse.

 

Can’t see if oil cooler hoses were involved in the fire,if so,replace them.

 

Sorry to read that.
Good you had a fire extinguisher and that it worked. Last time I needed one it didn't work (despite being near new and one year old, provided by Audi in my A4), and a good old blanked saved my home from destruction, still a very bad memory.

 

+1 rotary is tough, its fine

 

I pulled stuff out and washed that side of the engine bay and the damage really isn't that bad. You can barely tell a fire happened. I melted some of the wrapping on a couple hoses and wiring harness, but the wiring harness is mostly intact. Just a couple connectors to replace. Even the battery cables look fine, they just have part of the power steering hose melted on them. I ordered new plug wires and some new connectors so I should get it fixed up in the next week or so.

Once again.... I highly recommend the Element extinguishers. No corrosion or chemicals left behind in the engine bay and it did a good job putting the fire out. Last time I started a fresh rotary I had a standard household extinguisher nearby and I'm not sure what kind of additional damage that would have done

After fire. Removed burned stuff and washed

Burned wires. Most looks salvageable but I'll get new plug wires