how to prevent engine fires
how to prevent engine fires
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Replace the coolant hoses to the turbos at least every 4 years or so. Ensure your coolant system is running at 9 PSI, not 16. Coolant is flameable - in fact when new a number of FDs (1993) were lost to coolant fires from coolant running onto the red hot turbos - mine lost the engine and turbos. Replace fuel pulsation damper and fuel hoses every 5 years. Watch the electrical harness' for brittleness. Replace if cracking appears. Always run with an air filter (backfire will be quenched).
That should do it.
That should do it.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,150
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From: CA (Bay Area)
well i have my turbos & intake off right now and ive replaced the coolant lines. which fuel lines are you talking about? about the fuel pressure regulator, where is it and how big of a job would it be to replace? thanks !!
Originally posted by David Beale
Replace the coolant hoses to the turbos at least every 4 years or so. Ensure your coolant system is running at 9 PSI, not 16. Coolant is flameable - in fact when new a number of FDs (1993) were lost to coolant fires from coolant running onto the red hot turbos - mine lost the engine and turbos.
That should do it.
Replace the coolant hoses to the turbos at least every 4 years or so. Ensure your coolant system is running at 9 PSI, not 16. Coolant is flameable - in fact when new a number of FDs (1993) were lost to coolant fires from coolant running onto the red hot turbos - mine lost the engine and turbos.
That should do it.
Can't prove this but I think running 0.9 bar cap reduces the safety factor in the cooling system.
Carry a large fire-extinguisher in the car.
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Still on 1st engine
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,176
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From: SoCal
Like David Beale said, check the fuel *pulsation damper* as well... just in case you misread that as fuel "pressure regulator". But what the hell, check the FPR too. 
The pulsation damper is apparently a common leakage point.
The pulsation damper is apparently a common leakage point.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 290
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From: New York, NY
wow... you guys are starting to freak me out. I do carry a fire extinguisher, and its within quick reaching distance - not like the "riceboy" style of putting it on the passenger side. I have mine in the middle between the 2 rear bins. There is just enough space there for a fire extinguisher without interfering.
Halon system.. what is that? Is that what race cars have ... like sprinklers inside the engine bay?
How many people actually have those btw?
Halon system.. what is that? Is that what race cars have ... like sprinklers inside the engine bay?
How many people actually have those btw?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 617
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From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Oops, yeah, I'm old and easilly confused. My pressure numbers were wrong.
I have a halon fire extinguisher. Looks like a dry chemical one (size and shape), but is blue. There are also systems that can be installed for racecars. Halon is a gas that smoothers fire. Used to be used in aircraft and computer installations. The claim was people could breath it without problems, so could still get out of the room where the fire was. Due to the ozone hole agreement, it is now phased out. I'm told the replacements don't work as well. I'm also told the US air force are still using it in fighters and don't intend to change until a good replacement is available. The stuff is worth its' weight in gold now.
Where do you guys put a fire extinguisher in the 7, especially if you have no rollbar? I haven't found room for it yet. It absolutely has to be securely fastened down. You wouldn't want that thing to hit you in the head in an accident!
I have a halon fire extinguisher. Looks like a dry chemical one (size and shape), but is blue. There are also systems that can be installed for racecars. Halon is a gas that smoothers fire. Used to be used in aircraft and computer installations. The claim was people could breath it without problems, so could still get out of the room where the fire was. Due to the ozone hole agreement, it is now phased out. I'm told the replacements don't work as well. I'm also told the US air force are still using it in fighters and don't intend to change until a good replacement is available. The stuff is worth its' weight in gold now.
Where do you guys put a fire extinguisher in the 7, especially if you have no rollbar? I haven't found room for it yet. It absolutely has to be securely fastened down. You wouldn't want that thing to hit you in the head in an accident!
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 292
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From: Illinois
Originally posted by RotorMotor
well i have my turbos & intake off right now and ive replaced the coolant lines. which fuel lines are you talking about? about the fuel pressure regulator, where is it and how big of a job would it be to replace? thanks !!
well i have my turbos & intake off right now and ive replaced the coolant lines. which fuel lines are you talking about? about the fuel pressure regulator, where is it and how big of a job would it be to replace? thanks !!
Once you have the pressure regulator bolts out you can usually separate it from the fuel rail easily. Simply install the new one in reverse order making sure you replace the o-ring seal in the process.
As for the fuel lines, there are three key lines you should inspect: one is connected to the end of the fuel pressure regulator itself (the return line), one is a bit towards the driver's side and down from where you found the fuel pressure regulator (the supply line), and one loops to the front end of the secondary fuel rail from the primary fuel rail.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,150
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From: CA (Bay Area)
Binary, thanks for the detailed description! im going outside to check it out today (glad i have all my x-mas shopping done! 
)
anyone know if they make a very small fire extinguisher that would fit inside of one of the bins? i refuse to mount it to the a-pillar (id rather let my car burn than have it look like a 15yr olds riced out civic)
) anyone know if they make a very small fire extinguisher that would fit inside of one of the bins? i refuse to mount it to the a-pillar (id rather let my car burn than have it look like a 15yr olds riced out civic)
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 290
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From: New York, NY
Originally posted by David Beale
Where do you guys put a fire extinguisher in the 7, especially if you have no rollbar? I haven't found room for it yet. It absolutely has to be securely fastened down. You wouldn't want that thing to hit you in the head in an accident!
Where do you guys put a fire extinguisher in the 7, especially if you have no rollbar? I haven't found room for it yet. It absolutely has to be securely fastened down. You wouldn't want that thing to hit you in the head in an accident!
Rotary Freak
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,274
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From: GLENDALE, CA
how about dont drive your car......
seriously, if there are no real issues with your car, then you wont have to worry. if it always smells like fuel and your coolant pressure is high, then worry. also, the main cause of engine fires is the fuel pulsation damper.
thats about it...
seriously, if there are no real issues with your car, then you wont have to worry. if it always smells like fuel and your coolant pressure is high, then worry. also, the main cause of engine fires is the fuel pulsation damper.
thats about it...
Originally posted by David Beale
Replace the coolant hoses to the turbos at least every 4 years or so. Ensure your coolant system is running at 9 PSI, not 16. Coolant is flameable - in fact when new a number of FDs (1993) were lost to coolant fires from coolant running onto the red hot turbos - mine lost the engine and turbos. Replace fuel pulsation damper and fuel hoses every 5 years. Watch the electrical harness' for brittleness. Replace if cracking appears. Always run with an air filter (backfire will be quenched).
That should do it.
Replace the coolant hoses to the turbos at least every 4 years or so. Ensure your coolant system is running at 9 PSI, not 16. Coolant is flameable - in fact when new a number of FDs (1993) were lost to coolant fires from coolant running onto the red hot turbos - mine lost the engine and turbos. Replace fuel pulsation damper and fuel hoses every 5 years. Watch the electrical harness' for brittleness. Replace if cracking appears. Always run with an air filter (backfire will be quenched).
That should do it.
Greg
Originally posted by nycrx7
Like I put in my post, I have it bolted down to the middle section behind the seats... between the two bin doors. Seems damn stable to me and its hidden so it doesn't look all ricey, and... and.. you can reach for it very easily/quickly.
Like I put in my post, I have it bolted down to the middle section behind the seats... between the two bin doors. Seems damn stable to me and its hidden so it doesn't look all ricey, and... and.. you can reach for it very easily/quickly.
I recently bought a small extinquisher and was thinking about putting it there too. How do you have your's fastened down? That was the only thing that made me nervous. The bracket it came with for mounting is kind of cheezy and if I crashed and it broke loose from the plastic, it might do more damage (or hurt someone) than it was worth. Anyone have suggestions?
Re: how to prevent engine fires
Originally posted by RotorMotor
so what precautions should be taken to prevent engine fires on an older FD?
so what precautions should be taken to prevent engine fires on an older FD?
Still on 1st engine
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,176
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From: SoCal
Originally posted by rx7joe
I never knew coolant was flammable. Is this true, cause I'm having serious doubts? Nobody seems to be challenging this though. Not flamming just extremely curious and EXTREMELY doubtful that a water based system can catch on fire.
Greg
I never knew coolant was flammable. Is this true, cause I'm having serious doubts? Nobody seems to be challenging this though. Not flamming just extremely curious and EXTREMELY doubtful that a water based system can catch on fire.
Greg
Water isn't. Propylene glycol IS.
http://www.roberts.ezpublishing.com/...ts/coolant.htm