<VV> engine fires

[James Davis]

The only Corvair engine fires I know of were caused by rubber fuel 
lines melting or abrading in the engine compartment letting raw fuel 
spray onto the engine.  Plastic fuel filters are a no-no in the 
engine compartment also for that reason.
Personal story (February 1972):  It was about 10 below in Norther 
Maine as I headed to town in the 1965 Corsa, defroster on 
high.  After a 10 mile spirited drive (the roads were clear), the 
interior suddenly fogged-up, completely.  The fog was accompanied by 
the unmistakable smell of gasoline.  Frantically, with my gloved 
hand, I wiped a place to see out of the windshield; as I tried to 
find a place in the snow bank to pull over.  After after about a half 
mile, I found a driveway and pulled in and shut the engine down.  The 
rubber fuel line from the fuel pump to the Carter 4-barrel carb had 
gotten against the cooling fan and worn a hole in the hose.  This 
allowed all the fuel pump could supply to be sprayed into the fan.  I 
wiped the hose dry with a rag, taped the hole over with electrical 
tape, and pushed the hose back into its clip.  I started the engine 
with fire extinguisher in hand and darted around to the engine 
compartment to check for leaks.  There were none.  Driving slowly in 
second with all the windows down and the heater on high I nervously 
watched the rear view mirror for flames.  I managed to purge the 
fumes by the time I got to the auto parts store in town.  I replaced 
the hose before going on to the grocery store.  Sometimes it is just 
your lucky day.
Jim Davis




At 05:10 PM 6/9/2007, you wrote:
>Hello, oh great and knowledgable listers.  Thanks for all your 
>replies about my little glass opticleen bottle.
>
>One of my favorite doctors at work thinks my car is great, but is worried.
>
>Apparently he remembers the Corvair as a car that caught on fire.  I 
>assume it was because of the hotter engine/oil leak issue.  What 
>were the most common areas that the engine leaked from?  What does 
>one need to do to update it?  Does anyone know the statistics on 
>these supposed fires?
>
>We think the brakes come down to faulty wheel cylinders on the 
>front.  How quick is Clark's to ship to Canada?
>
>Thanks again
>
>Mel.