[Chrysler300] Engine Fire

["Tom Cox" <tdcox@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Had a scary moment yesterday. Traveled 40 miles at 70 mph or so, got off the
interstate, was waiting at a traffic light and smelled smoke but didn't see
any. Light changed, moved forward and smoke came barreling out the engine
bay. Got off the road, opened hood and saw fire coming up from the passenger
side underneath the exhaust manifold. Closed hood, jumped in car, found a
restaurant, went in,  but no one around. Went behind the bar, grabbed a 5
gallon bucket half full of water and soap, ran outside and put out fire. By
that time the fire was licking the carb and wiring on passenger side of
engine compartment.

 

Figured out that the low pressure power steering return hose had apparently
gotten too close to the heat tubes, hose failed and that power steering
fluid had soaked the asbestos wrap I had put around items that were close to
the exhaust manifold, and fire had started.

 

Car runs but I had it towed home. Am getting new, better hose for power
steering pump.

 

Lessons learned: 

Don't leave home without a fire extinguisher; 

Check hoses and anything else near exhaust manifold and heat tubes to make
certain nothing gets too hot.

 

Could have been worse; I am thankful for a lesson learned without a
disastrous consequence.

 

Get a fire extinguisher and keep it in the passenger cabin!!!!!!!!! I am
today.

 

Tom Cox

 

 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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