Fire at air control valve electrical connectors
 

I was starting the car up and noticed some smoke under the hood. I popped it an looked... The wiring on the left side of the engine just above the exhaust manifold and on the intake manifold, was on fire. I blew it out, but man was I scared about my FC. I wonder if it the air control valve or if I am wrong about it. Can I just keep the electrical connector disconnected?

Probably not, chances are something is shorted out since the wires caught fire.

Keep in mind this fire you had is in the same area these cars are known to catch fire at when the FPD starts leaking. I would check that to make sure you aren't fixing the effect rather than the cause.

Occasionally the Port Air Valve actuator at the ACV (Air Control Valve) with stick open and short out the wiring causing a burn out at the ACV of those wires.

As long as the engine has at least 20K miles on it, you can just unplug the Port Air Valve Actuator part of the ACV.

But if it is one of the others, then you will need to replace the actuator that burned if your area has smog.

Forgive me for being a newb, whats FPD?

The Fuel Pulsation Dampener... not related to your problem based on your description.

Could I buy this block off plate, then take off the air pump? Mabe it would free a little Hp?


http://www.pineappleracing.com/index...ROD&ProdID=100

year, model?

Removing the air pump is never a good thing from a emissions stand point, and potentially (if you have a non turbo) can result in lower power.

The air pump really has nothing to do with the ACV. The ACV just routes the air from the air pump to where it is best needed for emissions and in some cases aux port and VDI operation.

Its an 87 S4 N/A. I was hoping that this would be a quick fix. Ebay has the valves for about $35. That plate is $9. All I intend to do is build a daily/fun driver. Not a crazy fast race car.