I short ride to meet some old friends today for lunch ended in a potential disaster. As I got off the bike at the restaurant, smoke started pouring out from under the tank. I quickly removed the seat to investigate. Before I could get my helmet off, flames appeared. Luckily I parked directly at the front door. I ran inside and told the hosted I needed a fire extinguisher from the kitchen. As I turned around there next to the door was my FJ's savior. A fire extinguisher hanging on a hook. I snatched it up, pulled the pin and ran outside as flames were coming out everywhere around the fuel tank. A few quick blasts from the extinguisher and the flames were out. :cray: :dash2: :cray:
Fred
Lucky you got it out so quickly looks like a very close call.the carbs look a little toasty and the filters are history are you able to get it running for the rest of the trip?
Well shit....glad you're ok Fred. Ask Rick, it sure could have been worse.
We know the petcock elbow was not at fault. Perhaps fuel free flowing from a stuck float?
It looks like you got it put out before the fuel line (and filter) melted and your fuel tank emptied.
Please let us know what happened.
I'm glad you're ok. Your beautiful 95 (prolly the only one in the US) will be fixed.
Pat
Holy crap Fred. So close to disaster. So luck to ha an extinguisher close at hand. Winter project now?
Mark
RPM has been contacted and an emergency repair package of UNI filters, a fuel filter and a set of intake boots have been sent to my Dad's house. Hopefully it will arrive by Friday. In the mean time. I will repair the burnt wiring and tear down the carbs and make sure there is no internal damage. The throttle cables got a little malty bit look pretty much ok. I am hopeful to have the bike back running Friday afternoon. Saturdays ride to Key West may still happen.
The only outward cosmetic damage is a bit of melt damage to the right side panel under the seat and the right side fairing infill panel.
Fred
Perhaps if you had the oem air box and a carb started free flowing, the fuel would have run into the air box and down the air box drain tube away from the bike?
Looks like it ran out of the carb throat, thru the Uni and on to the top of the engine.
Just a guess.
Was the bike stumbling (like a flooded carb) before you shut it off?
Quote from: aviationfred on December 24, 2018, 06:43:49 PM
RPM has been contacted...
Fred
Fred,
Check your email.
Randy - RPM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on December 24, 2018, 06:52:36 PM
Was the bike stumbling (like a flooded carb) before you shut it off?
Possibly related: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=18301.msg184578#msg184578 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=18301.msg184578#msg184578)
Regardless, if a carb overflowed it should have dumped the fuel out of the two overflow hoses and four enrichment hoses down the backside of the engine onto the ground.
The source of the fire needs to be determined.
Randy - RPM
My word, what a bother.
Well done for thinking on your feet and sprinting toward the nearest extinguisher, which can be a tough find.
Could have easily been higher on the Rick magnitude scale of damage.
Best of luck with the on the road rebuild.
Andy
The bike seemed to be running fine until the moment I pulled into the parking spot. It was not running on all 4 cylinders right when I turned off the ignition. Once I got the carbs off and removed the bowls and slides, I noticed the #1 and #2 carb throats had carbon build up and the #1 and #2 fuel overflow lines show melting about an inch below the carbs.
Fred
Mate, glad you're ok. It is a relief that it wasn't worse & you know the FJ so well that you can contemplate a running repair.
If the fire was going whilst the bike was still running it is clear that 1 & 2 did most of the hard work sucking in the fire before the engine stopped and the fire spread.
I can't have been burning for long, seconds likely.
Troyskie
Been there, done that. Was forced to stand there and watch her burn to the ground. Glad you were near an extinguisher. It could have been so much worse:
(https://i.imgur.com/uc7SDur.jpg)
Verify the fuel filter is matched to the fuel line. My disaster was caused by a fuel filter whose nipples were too large for the line, resulting in a split end that squirted fuel onto the motor.
So lucky Fred,
Is there such a thing as a small fire extinguisher that could be carried ? Like the size on a chain lube can.
Quote from: ZOA NOM on December 25, 2018, 06:57:02 AM
Verify the fuel filter is matched to the fuel line. My disaster was caused by a fuel filter whose nipples were too large for the line, resulting in a split end that squirted fuel onto the motor.
I had recently trimmed back the fuel line where it fits onto petcock for that very reason, splits on the end.
But I do need to find a clip to keep it on the petcock as I've lost mine.
Cheers
Alan
Firstly, thank goodness you are OK Fred.
This certainly was a close call.
Should this be a wake up call for all of the FJ fraternity. How often do we check / change our fuel lines?
Do we use a quality fuel hose of the correct ID for the fittings in use?
Do we use proper clamps?
Personally, I do not like using small "Worm" type clamps as I have found that small worm clamps can distort the tubing at the end of the worm housing. (for want of a better description)
The original spring type clips are the best in my belief.
For those of us that are using pod filters, is there a possibility of rerouting the fuel line and positioning the fuel filter where it may lesson the chance of fuel discharging onto the engine should a mishap occur. I'm curious.
Now Fred, in no way am I insinuating that you are guilty of any of the above. This is something we must all think about, especially with what happened to Rick and now yourself.
One of the few things I do miss on the FJ is the Manual and Reachable Petcock like on my original XL185S and my Yamaha SR500.
I am certain you will have the bike repaired quickly but I do understand this is a Dam and Bugger moment one could do without.
Gavin
Such a close call. So impressive you had the presence of mind to go running inside looking for an extinguisher. Kudos to the home owner for having an extinguisher in the kitchen as well.
Makes a body wonder if these fires are an indication that we are riding the machines beyond their intended lifespan and they need more maintenance. Even Fred, who has made many mods and knows his bike forward and backward, has now experienced the nightmare we all have.
Joe
you maintain your bike as well as you can and then take your chances .shit happens.it is inherent in any gas powered machine.
Ive had several volkswagen engines and a couple of hot rod engines catch fire in my presence and if a fire extinguisher isnt available I've used towels and even sweatshirts to extinguish the fire very effectively.however it was a lot easier to get to the engine on those vehicles
Travis yea, VW's and fire, happened in high school to a couple of my friends....something about gravity and having the carb mounted over the distributor. :dash1:
Quote from: fj-f3a on December 25, 2018, 06:51:51 PM
Should this be a wake up call for all of the FJ fraternity. How often do we check / change our fuel lines?
Do we use a quality fuel hose of the correct ID for the fittings in use?
Do we use proper clamps?
Personally, I do not like using small "Worm" type clamps as I have found that small worm clamps can distort the tubing at the end of the worm housing. (for want of a better description)
The original spring type clips are the best in my belief.
For those of us that are using pod filters, is there a possibility of rerouting the fuel line and positioning the fuel filter where it may lesson the chance of fuel discharging onto the engine should a mishap occur. I'm curious.
One of the few things I do miss on the FJ is the Manual and Reachable Petcock like on my original XL185S and my Yamaha SR500.
Gavin
You could always fit one of these for under $30.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/974/42266308071_809014dbe5_c.jpg)
Fuel shut-off solenoid Yamaha FJ1200Turn the ignition off and the fuel supply shuts off.
You are correct, you should always use "fuel line clips" and as you say, worm drives should
not be used.
Leaking fuel is not uncommon, catching fire is. There would hardly be an FJ owner here that hasn't at some point experienced fuel dumping from their bike.
Fuel needs an ignition source and is near impossible to ignite from hot surfaces, you could pour fuel directly onto the stinking hot exhaust and it would not ignite, evaporating before it reaches combustion temp.
Fred, you were both unlucky and lucky today, good save. Hope the holiday can continue uninterupted.
You know what they say, a trip doesn't become and adventure until things stop going to plan.
Noel
The Holiday trip and adventure will be continued. With parts arriving from RPM in a few days, the generous offer from FJScott to use his Triumph Tiger, i will not be under any time contraint to get the FJ back together. The trip now will be done on an adventure bike.
Fred
Good on ya FJScott!!!! :good2: :good2: :good2:
I love this community.
Yea, that's the Scotty we know.... :good:
Fred,
This wasn't the same bike that briefly caught fire in S. Dakota is it?
Either way, you'll have it sorted in no time. Nice to see a bike offered up so your trip wasn't interrupted.