IML: Me Too - Popped Power Steering Hose caused fire!!!

[ahogangoat@xxxxxxxxxxx]

That happened to me too.   I was in the process of redoing a '64 Lebaron 4 dr ht.    The hose sprung a leak and atomized the fluid against the exhaust manifold.  By the time I got the car stopped and got something to kill the fire the engine compartment was done on the left side.   Even the floats came unsoldered in the carb.    All rubber and etc was gone.   The hood was burned.    What a mess.     Never did get the car redone.   Sold it.

REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWERSTEERING HOSE!!!!!

I had it happen to a '63 also but the hose broke completely and the fluid didn't light.  I guess a full stream doesn't get enought air mixed in to ignite.

 

 

Save the car and possible any injury!

 

 

-------------- Original message --------------

> I had a similar experience but no fire. After the front end rebuild the line
> cut loose. After replacing it and the power steering pump, I am having an
> intermittent loss of power steering. This happened a couple of times before
> replacing the pump but now that the pump and hose are replaced it's happening
> frequently. She's back in the shop for this repair. Tomorrow they are flushing
> the system. They have not rebuilt the steering box.
>
> Does this sound familiar to anyone? Can you offer me any suggestions to give
> the shop?
>
> Thanks
> Casey,
> 65 Crown 4dr, now ready for me except for power steering
> >
> > From: Kenyon Wills
> > Date: 2004/12/23 Thu AM 04:37:43 EST
> > To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: I ML: Popped Power Steering Hose caused fire!!!
> >
> > Bob,thanks for pointing that out. I feel rotten that it happened to you and
> wish both of you a speedy recovery.
> >
> > If any one else here is driving around on a set of power steering hoses that
> they did not personally replace, please do so soon! I had a similar experience
> and almost lost control of the car near a place they call Devil's Slide here in
> California that goes about 900 feet down into surf on rocks.
> >
> > These hoses can be installed by the average person with stone-age wrenches and
> cost little. Yours are probably as old as your car if you have not done them.
> Look under your hood at the two rubber hoses that go from your PS pump on the
> engine to the steering box bolted to the frame.
> >
> > Engine compartment fires and loss of power steering are both unfortunate
> things that are preventable..
> >
> > The regular suspects for wiring harnesses could include Bob Hoffmeister and
> Lowell Howe to start naming names. They are of course to be found in the PARTS
> section of the website at the bottom of that page in the SALVAGE YARD link.
> >
> > http://imperialclub.com/Part/Yards/index.htm
> >
> > -Kenyon
> >
> >
> >
> > Bob Kinker wrote:
> >
> > I just got my Imp back from getting the front end rebuilt. What a difference
> it made. Rides like a dream. However, as we were turning into my driveway, a
> power steering hose sprung a leak, spraying p/s fluid on the hot exhaust
> manifold. It caught fire, and took the engine bay wiring harness with it.
> Luckily we were able to put it out before too much damage was caused. Let this
> be a warning to you guys, check your hoses, and replace them when you rebuild
> your front end. I figure the hose was fine for u se with the worn out, sloppy
> front end. After it was tightened up (rebuilt) it required more pressure on the
> P/S pump to it?s job, and the hose let go. I do feel lucky that it didn?t blow
> on the road, with no water or fire extinguisher nearby. In that scenario, I
> would have lost my car! Maybe more! Can any of you guys recommend a source
> for a new harness? Or a very nice used one? Thanks, Bob
> >
> > Toasty 64 Crown Coupe
> >
> >
> >
> > Kenyon Wills
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